Research

Below is an overview of empirical legal research methods, journals and other relevant publications, as well as more information about the Data Management Plan, Ethical aspects and Funding opportunities.

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Methods

In empirical legal research, various methods are used to collect and analyze data. These methods include:

  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Interviews (individual, semi-structured, structured)
  • Focus groups
  • Vignette studies
  • Q-methodology
  • Observation (including participant observation and ethnographic research)
  • Case file research and document analysis
  • Case studies
  • Experimental research (such as field and lab experiments)
  • Action research
  • Secondary data analysis (e.g. existing datasets)
  • Systematic analysis of case law
  • Social Network Analysis (SNA)
  • Application of Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Design research 

Journals

If you have conducted empirical legal research and are looking for suitable journals to publish your work, consider the following options that are relevant in the Netherlands and beyond: 

Library

Data Management Plan

If you use (empirical) data, then create a data management plan at the beginning of your research project. In a data management plan, you arrange how you collect, structure, manage, store, and protect your data. For managing your data, you can use the data management systeem YODA developed by Utrecht University. For more information about the requirements set by the REBO Faculty regarding data management, read the document Research Data Management Policy at Faculty of Law, Economics, and Governance (login required).

Do you need help drafting your data management plan or using YODA? Do you want to make sure that your data management plan corresponds with university guidelines? Then contact the Research Data Management Support at Utrecht University.

Ethics

Scientific research must adhere to ethical principles. Within the REBO faculty, the independent Faculty Ethics Review Committee promotes, monitors, and assesses ethically responsible conduct in research. Read the Regulations of the Faculty Ethics Review Committee (login required). 

Financing

Suggestions for applying for scholarships and grants: