⋆
]]
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LME3701: LEGAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Exam Revision Guide — May/June 2025 & May/June 2024
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
[ Law — Legal Research & Methodology [
_ Exam Revision Guide
LME3701
Module Code:
Legal Research Methodology
Module Name:
May/June 2025 & May/June 2024 Past
Paper / Exam: Papers
Year:
100 (Portfolio Exam)
Total Marks:
Criminal & Procedural Law
Department:
This guide covers all core exam topics. Understand the concepts—do not merely
memorise. AI use is prohibited in LME3701 assessments.
Exam Revision Notes | LME3701 | 2025
,LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
@ PAPER 1: May/June 2025 — MCQ & Short Answer Section
⋆ Exam Tip
The LME3701 exam is a Portfolio Exam (Assignment 3). It consists of: (1) Multiple-
Choice Questions (MCQs) testing theoretical knowledge of legal research methodology,
and (2) a full Research Proposal (the main portfolio task). Both components must
be mastered. Marks are allocated across all sections.
Page 2 of 31
,LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
Question 1 [1 mark each]
(1.1) [1 mark]
Question: The Unisa College of Law requires students to include references to their
sources in the following manner:
(1) References to sources are placed in the text, endnotes or footnotes according to the
writer’s preference.
(2) References to sources are placed in endnotes.
(3) References to sources are placed in the text.
(4) References to sources are placed in footnotes.
Answer: Correct answer: (4) References to sources are placed in footnotes.
The Unisa College of Law adopted the OSCOLA-based referencing style (as set out
in Tutorial Letter 302/LLBALLF) from 2021. A defining feature of OSCOLA is that all
references — whether to cases, legislation, books, journal articles, or internet sources —
are inserted as footnotes at the bottom of the page, not in the text or endnotes.
Key Concept
OSCOLA stands for Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Au-
thorities. Unisa’s version, contained in Tutorial Letter 302, replaces Section C
of the LME3701 study guide from 2021 onward. It governs all undergraduate
assignments, research proposals, dissertations, and theses in the College of Law.
(1.2) [1 mark]
Question: The following are all primary sources of legal authority:
(1) Common law, legislation and journal articles.
(2) Legislation, regulations and verbal opinions of judges.
(3) Case law, common law and regulations.
(4) Case law, journal articles and common law.
Answer: Correct answer: (3) Case law, common law and regulations.
Primary sources of law are sources that are themselves law — they are binding on
Page 3 of 31
, LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
courts and legal actors. They include:
• Legislation (Acts of Parliament) and regulations (subordinate legislation)
• Case law (judicial decisions/precedents)
• Common law (judge-made law, customary law recognised by courts)
• The Constitution (supreme law)
Secondary sources (e.g., journal articles, textbooks, legal encyclopaedias) are not law
themselves but interpret and comment on the law. They can only serve as persuasive
authority.
. Watch Out
Journal articles are secondary sources, not primary. Option (1) and (4) both
incorrectly include them as primary. Option (2) is wrong because “verbal opinions
of judges” are not a recognised source of law in a written legal system.
(1.3) [1 mark]
Question: From 2021, the Unisa College of Law uses the following referencing style:
(1) The APA referencing style.
(2) The Harvard referencing style.
(3) The Chicago referencing style.
(4) The OSCOLA referencing style.
Answer: Correct answer: (4) The OSCOLA referencing style.
From 2021, the Unisa College of Law replaced its previous referencing guidelines with a
style based on OSCOLA (Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authori-
ties). This is detailed in Tutorial Letter 302 (LLBALLF/302). It governs how students
cite:
• Legislation and regulations
• Case law (court decisions)
• Books and book chapters
• Journal articles
• Internet and online sources
• Study guides
Page 4 of 31
]]
⋆
LME3701: LEGAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Exam Revision Guide — May/June 2025 & May/June 2024
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
[ Law — Legal Research & Methodology [
_ Exam Revision Guide
LME3701
Module Code:
Legal Research Methodology
Module Name:
May/June 2025 & May/June 2024 Past
Paper / Exam: Papers
Year:
100 (Portfolio Exam)
Total Marks:
Criminal & Procedural Law
Department:
This guide covers all core exam topics. Understand the concepts—do not merely
memorise. AI use is prohibited in LME3701 assessments.
Exam Revision Notes | LME3701 | 2025
,LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
@ PAPER 1: May/June 2025 — MCQ & Short Answer Section
⋆ Exam Tip
The LME3701 exam is a Portfolio Exam (Assignment 3). It consists of: (1) Multiple-
Choice Questions (MCQs) testing theoretical knowledge of legal research methodology,
and (2) a full Research Proposal (the main portfolio task). Both components must
be mastered. Marks are allocated across all sections.
Page 2 of 31
,LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
Question 1 [1 mark each]
(1.1) [1 mark]
Question: The Unisa College of Law requires students to include references to their
sources in the following manner:
(1) References to sources are placed in the text, endnotes or footnotes according to the
writer’s preference.
(2) References to sources are placed in endnotes.
(3) References to sources are placed in the text.
(4) References to sources are placed in footnotes.
Answer: Correct answer: (4) References to sources are placed in footnotes.
The Unisa College of Law adopted the OSCOLA-based referencing style (as set out
in Tutorial Letter 302/LLBALLF) from 2021. A defining feature of OSCOLA is that all
references — whether to cases, legislation, books, journal articles, or internet sources —
are inserted as footnotes at the bottom of the page, not in the text or endnotes.
Key Concept
OSCOLA stands for Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Au-
thorities. Unisa’s version, contained in Tutorial Letter 302, replaces Section C
of the LME3701 study guide from 2021 onward. It governs all undergraduate
assignments, research proposals, dissertations, and theses in the College of Law.
(1.2) [1 mark]
Question: The following are all primary sources of legal authority:
(1) Common law, legislation and journal articles.
(2) Legislation, regulations and verbal opinions of judges.
(3) Case law, common law and regulations.
(4) Case law, journal articles and common law.
Answer: Correct answer: (3) Case law, common law and regulations.
Primary sources of law are sources that are themselves law — they are binding on
Page 3 of 31
, LME3701 | Exam Revision Legal Research Methodology
courts and legal actors. They include:
• Legislation (Acts of Parliament) and regulations (subordinate legislation)
• Case law (judicial decisions/precedents)
• Common law (judge-made law, customary law recognised by courts)
• The Constitution (supreme law)
Secondary sources (e.g., journal articles, textbooks, legal encyclopaedias) are not law
themselves but interpret and comment on the law. They can only serve as persuasive
authority.
. Watch Out
Journal articles are secondary sources, not primary. Option (1) and (4) both
incorrectly include them as primary. Option (2) is wrong because “verbal opinions
of judges” are not a recognised source of law in a written legal system.
(1.3) [1 mark]
Question: From 2021, the Unisa College of Law uses the following referencing style:
(1) The APA referencing style.
(2) The Harvard referencing style.
(3) The Chicago referencing style.
(4) The OSCOLA referencing style.
Answer: Correct answer: (4) The OSCOLA referencing style.
From 2021, the Unisa College of Law replaced its previous referencing guidelines with a
style based on OSCOLA (Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authori-
ties). This is detailed in Tutorial Letter 302 (LLBALLF/302). It governs how students
cite:
• Legislation and regulations
• Case law (court decisions)
• Books and book chapters
• Journal articles
• Internet and online sources
• Study guides
Page 4 of 31
