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LAW37580

Academic Year 2026/2027

Research Module 10 cr (LAW37580)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Amrei Muller
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 5
Spring 5
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module offers students an opportunity to pursue independent research on an aspect of law that is of particular interest to them. It is a 10-credit module that takes place over two trimesters.

At the end of the module students should have completed an 8000-word paper. Students are also expected to submit a research proposal, three pieces of key scholarship informing their research and a short sample of writing on their topic for discussion and feedback.

This year students can choose between two options:
(A) Researching a topic from a select list of topics and research questions provided by potential supervisors.
(B) Research a topic of the student’s own choice, subject to agreement with an available member of staff

Students will be asked to indicate their choice of topic early in term 1, and the module coordinator will allocate an appropriate supervisor based on availability. Whilst reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate the student's first choice of topic, this cannot be guaranteed and students should be prepared to choose alternative topics.

The module includes seminars designed to develop research skills. These skills include developing a viable research question, writing a research proposal, (advanced) research and writing skills, library skills and citation / referencing, and a discussion on why it is not a good idea to let GenIA write your research paper.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students should be able to:

- frame a challenging but realistic research question;
- write a research proposal;
- identify pieces of key scholarship informing the research paper;
- conduct legal research to a high standard, including by the use of UCD Library law resources;
- engage in independent legal research;
- present legal research in a written form that is well-structured, clear, concise and accurate in a longer research paper;
- formulate and present clear and convincing legal arguments.

Indicative Module Content:

The module includes (at least) four seminars designed to develop research and writing skills.

Week 1: Picking a research topic, developing a viable research question, research skills I
Week 2: Writing a research proposal, research skills II
Week 3: Law research library session, legal writing skills, referencing
Week 7: Student-led Q&A on research proposal writing

More seminars may be added. The exact topics covered will depend on students’ needs. Students are encouraged to request the skills / issues they would like to discuss in class, and to get in touch if they want the module coordinator to organise additional seminars or workshops, or to discuss any research-related issues and questions they have.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

212

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is primarily an independent research module, meaning that it is student led. Seminars designed to develop research and writing skills are offered to support students. These skills include identifying a research topic, framing viable research questions, writing a research proposal, research and writing skills, library skills and referencing skills. Students will provide peer support and offer feedback to each other on research topics and ideas. Students are also encouraged to request the skills / issues they would like to discuss in class, and to get in touch if they want the module coordinator to organise additional seminars or workshops, or to discuss any research-related issues or questions they are having.

In addition, students are expected to discuss their research proposals as well as three pieces of key scholarship informing their research papers with supervisors during office hours in trimester 1 and there is one further mandatory supervisor meeting in weeks 3 or 4 of trimester 2 in which students can receive feedback on a draft of their writing. This is an opportunity for students to obtain one-to-one feedback on their research.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module cannot be taken if you have already taken the 5 credit Research Module Law 30750


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW30630 - French Law Dissertation


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay: Final Research Paper, due April 2027; 8000 words Week 11 Spring Graded No
85
 No
Individual Project: Continuous Assessment: Research Proposal (1500 words) and three pieces of key scholarship informing research project, due week 8 of trimester 1. Meeting with supervisor for discussion/feedback. Week 8 Autumn Graded No
10
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance: Meeting with supervisor in trimester 2 to obtain feedback on 1,000 word sample of writing in week 3. Writing sample to be submitted in week 1 of trimester 2. Week 3 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual and peer feedback on their research ideas, research proposals and three pieces of key scholarship on their topic in trimester 1. Students will be asked to submit a 1,000 word sample of writing to their supervisors in week 1 of trimester 2, and to arrange a face to face meeting with their supervisor during their office hours to obtain feedback on this draft in week 3 of trimester 2. This is a key component of this module. Students will receive individual feedback from their supervisors on their final research papers via Brightspace after grade release.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 1, 2 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 3, 6, 7 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
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