IRM1501
Semester 1
May/June 2020
Examination
,Unit 1: What is Research?
The Free Dictionary definition: the systematic investigation to establish facts or
principles or to collect information on a subject. Creswell definition: process of steps
used to collect and analyse information to increase our understanding of a topic or
issue. Three steps: namely posing of a (research) question, collecting
information or data in order to answer the question, and presenting an answer
or answers to the question.
Law and Criminal Justice:
Research is generally a process that has to do with assessing existing
knowledge, criticising existing knowledge, expanding existing knowledge or
contributing to the development of existing knowledge.
2.1 Why is Research Important?
Research is important because it helps you to have a detailed analysis of everything
that forms the basis of your research.
Benefits of research are as follows:
• Research enhances your knowledge by continuously keeping you up to
date with new information.
• Research increases your knowledge of the topic of your research. The
more you read, the more you learn and the more you will know.
• Research clarifies possible confusion when reading expert opinions.
• Research assists in the proper understanding of the subject.
• Research helps in learning about the methods and issues that require
investigation.
• Research introduces you to publishing. The more you read, the more familiar
you will become with writing skills.
• Research enables you do work collaboratively with others.
Pg. 1
, 2.2 Scientific and Non-Scientific Research
2.2.1 Scientific Research
Scientific research can be understood to mean a systematic investigation of scientific
theories and certain propositions.
1. The first view is that science is always facts based.
2. The second view is that science is logical and objective.
3. The third is that science is informed by the desire to provide certainty.
4. The fourth view on science is that the answers provided by science or through a
scientific inquiry or investigation are always precise and measureable.
This process must be logical and rational. It involves an investigation or examination
of facts in order to acquire new knowledge or to expand or develop existing knowledge.
Scientific research makes use of scientific methods and techniques in order to study
a particular phenomenon in a manner that seeks to acquire new knowledge, or to
improve on and/or incorporate existing knowledge.
2.2.2 Non-Scientific Research
Non-scientific research can be referred to as “pseudo research”. This implies
research that is collected haphazardly or carelessly and is often based on casual
observations and statements that are not logically supported. It produces findings that
cannot be “reproduced and are based upon the researcher’s faith or hopes”.
2.3. Basic Research Methods
In law, research is usually document based. By this we mean that the research
usually involves reading, analysing and comparing various documents and
other sources of law. Your research will therefore be mostly about finding the
sources of law, reading, analysing and evaluating them and then synthesising your
findings into one coherent report.
Legal Research: by legal research we mean a process of finding an answer to a
legal question or searching for a legal precedent that can be referenced in
pleadings or at trial. Legal research is conducted for a variety of reasons, but in
Pg. 2
Semester 1
May/June 2020
Examination
,Unit 1: What is Research?
The Free Dictionary definition: the systematic investigation to establish facts or
principles or to collect information on a subject. Creswell definition: process of steps
used to collect and analyse information to increase our understanding of a topic or
issue. Three steps: namely posing of a (research) question, collecting
information or data in order to answer the question, and presenting an answer
or answers to the question.
Law and Criminal Justice:
Research is generally a process that has to do with assessing existing
knowledge, criticising existing knowledge, expanding existing knowledge or
contributing to the development of existing knowledge.
2.1 Why is Research Important?
Research is important because it helps you to have a detailed analysis of everything
that forms the basis of your research.
Benefits of research are as follows:
• Research enhances your knowledge by continuously keeping you up to
date with new information.
• Research increases your knowledge of the topic of your research. The
more you read, the more you learn and the more you will know.
• Research clarifies possible confusion when reading expert opinions.
• Research assists in the proper understanding of the subject.
• Research helps in learning about the methods and issues that require
investigation.
• Research introduces you to publishing. The more you read, the more familiar
you will become with writing skills.
• Research enables you do work collaboratively with others.
Pg. 1
, 2.2 Scientific and Non-Scientific Research
2.2.1 Scientific Research
Scientific research can be understood to mean a systematic investigation of scientific
theories and certain propositions.
1. The first view is that science is always facts based.
2. The second view is that science is logical and objective.
3. The third is that science is informed by the desire to provide certainty.
4. The fourth view on science is that the answers provided by science or through a
scientific inquiry or investigation are always precise and measureable.
This process must be logical and rational. It involves an investigation or examination
of facts in order to acquire new knowledge or to expand or develop existing knowledge.
Scientific research makes use of scientific methods and techniques in order to study
a particular phenomenon in a manner that seeks to acquire new knowledge, or to
improve on and/or incorporate existing knowledge.
2.2.2 Non-Scientific Research
Non-scientific research can be referred to as “pseudo research”. This implies
research that is collected haphazardly or carelessly and is often based on casual
observations and statements that are not logically supported. It produces findings that
cannot be “reproduced and are based upon the researcher’s faith or hopes”.
2.3. Basic Research Methods
In law, research is usually document based. By this we mean that the research
usually involves reading, analysing and comparing various documents and
other sources of law. Your research will therefore be mostly about finding the
sources of law, reading, analysing and evaluating them and then synthesising your
findings into one coherent report.
Legal Research: by legal research we mean a process of finding an answer to a
legal question or searching for a legal precedent that can be referenced in
pleadings or at trial. Legal research is conducted for a variety of reasons, but in
Pg. 2
