If there is no right way then how does one make a legal research plan? Well, start with a self-assessment. You probably have a sense of what comes more naturally to you, as well as where your strengths and weakness lie. Remember the best method is the one that helps you to stay on task, tracks where you have been, and guides you to the information you need. A basic research plan will break down your questions into specific research tasks, identify sources to use in your research, and begin to identify search terms.
Below are some examples of ways to approach legal research planning. Read through them and see if you can identify a format that might work best for you. Not sure? Try out different approaches. Still not sure? Make your own!
As you begin researching, it is important to keep a research log. You should record what you searched and where, both to avoid duplicating your efforts but also to find anything that you may have misplaced.
It is important to keep your sources organized to avoid unintentional plagiarism and to make footnoting easy.
Your Outline will list your main point or your thesis, supporting arguments to your thesis and evidence for those arguments. Your outline can become your table of contents and section headings so that your reader can better follow your argument.
If your scholarship involves disciplines besides law, here are several databases that contain social science and humanities journals that may be of use:
