The Research Process

• Author: Beau Steenken, Tina M. Brooks
• Pages: 166-177

166

Chapter 7

The Research Process

A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a

client. Competent representation requires the legal

knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation

reasonably necessary for the representation. – The

American Bar Association, MODEL RULES OF

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT R. 1.1

In order to conduct legal research effectively, a

lawyer should have a working knowledge of . . .the

process of devising and implementing a coherent

and effective research design. – MacCrate Report

7.1 Learning Objectives

In working through this chapter, students should strive to be able to:

• Describe the steps of the research process.

• Assess which research techniques are best utilized at each step of

the process.

• Understand the recursive nature of the research process.

• Describe techniques a researcher can employ when faced with too

much or too little information.