From undergraduate studies, through specialization, and up to doctoral studies, a good scientific article or coursework demands a great deal of observation and reading from students. After all, academic research is what will define the quality of the arguments used in their work.
In the field of Law, when preparing an academic paper, professional experience or a long legal career is not enough. When writing, you will need to refer to authors to provide a theoretical basis for your research.
If you want to learn how and where to find reliable sources for your academic research in the field of Law, continue reading and check out the topics that IDP has prepared to help you:
Academic research and how it is used in law.
Research is the collection of operations or activities aimed at discovering new knowledge in various fields, primarily in the scientific field, according to the dictionary definition.
In academia , research is considered one of the cornerstones of the profession. This is because it is through research that researchers contribute to the advancement of knowledge and social development.
In law, it's no different. This field requires a lot of study and reading, so professionals and academics in the legal field should always be looking for reliable sources to use as references in their work.
The use of sources in academic research
To produce a good academic paper, it is recommended to use different sources and types of publications. Publications that are made through articles, books, websites, journals, among others.
But what would be the most appropriate way to find research inputs? The answer is: it depends. It depends on many factors, such as the topic, purpose, or depth of your research.
How to find reliable sources for academic research
Don't limit your research to just one website or web search engine. In addition, seek other means of verifying information. In an era where fake news is increasingly common, checking the veracity of what you consult is fundamental for academic work.
If you are using the internet to assist with your academic work, you should be extra careful! After all, the replication of incorrect information is common, and if used in your work, it can seriously compromise your performance.
In addition to traditional libraries, legal researchers can use databases of articles and monographs, for example. CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) offers free virtual access to its Catalog of Theses and Dissertations.
Reliable sources for academic research in the field of Law.
Those who work in the legal field know how quickly information is updated daily. After all, the three branches of government—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial—are constantly making changes in pursuit of maintaining the democratic rule of law.
Keeping up with the rapid pace of such changes is not easy. Therefore, you should rely on up-to-date and reliable sources when putting your academic research into practice.
To assist you in your academic work, we have listed below five reliable sources for legal research. Follow along with us:
CAPES Journal Portal
The Portal of Periodicals of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) is one of the largest virtual scientific collections in Brazil.
The website gathers and makes available nationally produced content, as well as content published in collaboration with international publishers, to educational and research institutions in Brazil.
There are over 49 full-text journals and 455 databases with diverse content, such as references, patents, statistics, audiovisual material, technical standards, theses, dissertations, books, and reference works.
SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online)
SciELO Data is a multidisciplinary repository for the deposit, preservation, and dissemination of research data from articles submitted to or approved for publication in journals of the SciELO Network or deposited in SciELO Preprints.
SciELO Data offers the community of authors and editors of SciELO journals and users of SciELO Preprints a repository for research data aligned with best practices and international standards for research data management.
ERIC
ERIC is a database developed by the United States Department of Education. Because of this, all the information is in English, and the vast majority of the data pertains to what has been studied in the country.
ERIC has five main user groups: academics, researchers, educators, policymakers, and the general public.
Its collection includes journal articles, conference proceedings, lectures, government documents, theses, dissertations, reports, bibliographies, books, and monographs. Access to the platform is free, meaning no membership or subscription is required. If you have a good understanding of English, it's worth using in your work.
Academic Google
First of all, it's worth remembering that Google revolutionized internet searches. However, few people know that the world-famous search engine has also entered the academic field and has a specific system to assist students with their research.
Just as traditional Google gathers various sources in one place, Google Scholar does the same, but with scientific articles, master's theses, or doctoral dissertations.
In addition to books, abstracts, and preprint libraries, there are various materials produced by professional and academic organizations.
STF Library
Have you ever accessed the virtual library of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court? The STF's digital repository has a collection of documents from various branches of law, also covering related sciences.
The collections Rare Books, Complete Works of Rui Barbosa, Selected Works, and Intellectual Production of Ministers and Civil Servants are available. These titles comprise the collection of the Minister Victor Nunes Leal Library, which is in the public domain.
In addition to the Books section, it is also possible to access the STF Journals. In this area of the site, researchers can view legal articles and jurisprudence from the STF in the 19th and 20th centuries, Joint Jurisprudence, the Supreme Federal Court Journal, and more.
Bonus tip!
Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students at IDP, one of the most renowned law institutions in Brazil, have access to a rich online collection of resources throughout their studies.
The institution's virtual library alone has over 9 titles in various fields!
Furthermore, there is access to thousands of texts and e-books in the field of Law, such as the Court Journals, the CAPES Periodicals Portal, and a database entirely dedicated to Constitutions.
Without a doubt, the digital collection provides greater accessibility for students and, of course, deepens their studies during specialization.
Conclusion
Finally, we concluded that when conducting legal research, caution is always welcome, and therefore resorting to reliable sources is essential.
In the career path of an academic researcher who has chosen to pursue a Master's or Doctorate in Law, a great deal of dedication to reading will be necessary, regardless of whether they will dedicate themselves to teaching or research.
Therefore, if you have an affinity for research but intend to continue working in the job market, there is the option of pursuing a Professional Master's Degree in Law . This course, like the Academic Master's Degree, is stricto sensu and also guarantees continuity towards a Doctorate.
The Professional Master's degree guarantees legal professionals the practical application of everything taught during the course.
Visit the IDP website to learn more about our Academic Master's, Professional Master's, and Doctoral programs.