Empirical Legal Research

This exciting textbook introduces the basic tenets and methodologies of empirical legal research. Explaining how to initiate and conduct empirical research projects, how to evaluate the methods used and how to analyze and engage with the results, Kees van den Bos provides a vibrant and reliable primer for students and practitioners looking to engage actively in legal research. Key features include:A straightforward, non-technical and accessible style to engage new researchers in empirical legal researchA step-by-step guide to empirical research, leading students through establishing and building a research project, to interpreting and reporting on empirical dataAn exploration of an array of methodologies to gather empirical data, including interviews, surveys and experiments, providing plenty of avenues for researchExercises to allow students to put new skills into practice and suggested further reading to deepen students' understanding of new topics. Offering an enthusiastic introduction to a valuable subject, this is crucial reading for advanced law students hoping to pursue their own empirical legal research projects. Its insights into cutting-edge research methodologies will also be of benefit to students with a keen interest in the sociology of law, as well as socio-legal studies more widely.

This textbook is a very accessible and practical guide to empirical legal research. The non-technical explanations of interviews, surveys and experiments make it easy to understand the pros and cons of each method and to know when to use them. It will be perfect as a textbook in an interdisciplinary methods course for law students.' --Sanne Taekema, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands'Empirical Legal Research: A Primer is a wonderful introduction to, and continuing reference for, the use of empirical methods to study legal issues. At a time when policy research, evidence-based legal process, and fact-based input into legal decisions are becoming more and more important, this book is a valuable resource for law students, legal scholars, practicing lawyers, and policy makers. The book is accessible and interesting - I recommend it!' --Allan Lind, Duke University, US'Empirical Legal Research: A Primer is a great book. It makes clear that doing empirical research is important, enriching and fun. It explains in a very simple, clear and effective way how to set up and carry out such research and what part of empirical research you can carry out yourself and when you need the help of an expert. If I had never done any empirical legal research myself, I'm sure that I would want to start immediately after reading this book.' --Bert Marseille, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

Kees van den Bos, Professor, School of Law and Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands