Advanced introduction to empirical legal research

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

Herbert Kritzer presents a clear introduction to the history, methods and substance of empirical legal research (ELR). Quantitative methods dominate in empirical legal research, but an important segment of the field draws on qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews and observation. In this book both methodologies are explored alongside systematic data analysis. Offering an overview of the broad ELR literature, the institutions of the law, the central actors of the law, and the subjects of the law are each addressed in this highly readable account that will be essential reading for legal researchers.

Key features include:

• Summaries of the history of empirical legal research


• A clear introduction to methods in empirical legal research


• Coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods and research


• A readable guide to the impact and rationale of different methodologies.

This relatively short book provides an invaluable quick introduction for students, scholars, legal professionals and policy professionals.