Legal Research Methodology: Major Stages in Legal Research

Authors: Gogo George Otuturu, PhD

Affiliation: Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author: [email protected]

February 25, 2026

SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18777096

Legal Research Methodology: Major Stages in Legal Research
Review Article Social Sciences

Abstract

Lawyers earn their living by solving real problems in the society mainly through researching and writing. In conducting legal research, contrary to the popular belief, lawyers follow the scientific method. They identify a research problem; formulate research questions; review existing literature with the aim of applying the principles of law discovered in cases and statutes to the facts of the present case; summarize the findings, draw conclusions and suggest (or take) appropriate action based on the findings. This underscores the crucial place that research occupies in legal practice. The aim of this paper is to examine the major stages in legal research. It examines the essential features of scientific research and applies them to the process of legal research. It identifies the major stages in legal research and discusses them with practical examples based on the NALT Guide. It posits that the end product of legal research is the research report. It suggests that there is need for the training of lawyers to conduct empirical research to enrich the range of research methodologies that can be utilized in legal research.

Keywords

Research Problem, Literature Review, Research Question, Data Collection

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How to Cite

Gogo George Otuturu, PhD (2026). Legal Research Methodology: Major Stages in Legal Research. SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review, Vol. 2, No. 1. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18777096

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Article Information

  • Type: Review Article
  • Journal: SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review
  • Subject Area: Social Sciences
  • Published: February 25, 2026
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 1
  • Word Count: Not specified
  • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18777096
  • Processing Fee: $50.00 USD

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