Doing a Directed Research Paper? These Tips are for YOU!

To graduate from RWU Law, each student must complete the school’s writing requirement “under the direct supervision of a professor or director of an institute” during which the student “must write an individually authored paper that reflects substantial legal research; presents a legal argument that is well-developed, organized, and supported; is at least 5500 words long; and is of sufficient quality to earn a grade of “C” or higher.” students can meet this requirement by writing a research paper under the direction of a supervisor.

If you decide to do a directed research paper, here are some tips that will hopefully make the process go as smoothly as possible.  

Tip 1. Find a supervisor early.  This paper is an excellent opportunity to work closely with a faculty member or legal professional with expertise in an area of law that you find interesting.  Reach out to potential supervisors early in the process with the subject of your paper and your timeline. Everyone appreciates it when someone is considerate of their time and obligations.

Tip 2.  Select a topic that is interesting to you.  A directed research paper will represent a large investment of your time. In your future job search, you may need to discuss it during interviews or use it as a writing sample. But just as important, your passion, as an author, is likely to shine through your writing and make your work more engaging to readers.  

Tip 3.Your topic should represent a legally significant issue that is arguable—from multiple, defensible perspectives—and is demonstrably relevant or timely.   There are various ways to go about finding a suitable topic. Your supervisor or other mentor, with subject matter expertise, can provide you with guidance. You can also search news sources for issues of legal controversy.  Likewise, articles in law journals and bar publications can be excellent sources of information on the developments, issues, and trends in various areas of law.  Things to look out for may include cases of first impression, where an appellate court reverses a lower court decision, or issues that involve federal circuit court splits.  Databases such as Westlaw Precision, Lexis+, and Fastcase give you the capability of searching caselaw for such controversies (this video—produced by Lexis—will help you get started).

For legal news, try browsing the Lexis Legal News Hub, Westlaw Today, or Law.com for up-to-date legal news and the cutting-edge issues facing lawyers and legal scholars today. If you want something a bit more off the beaten path, you can peruse Thomson Reuters’s Legally Weird blog, a great source for legal questions presented in emerging and unique areas of the law. 

Tips 4.  Check out the helpful guides that your super smart law librarians created for you.  Selecting a topic and conducting your research is exciting and work intensive.  These guides are intended to help you at all stages of the writing process.  
TimeSaver: Selecting a Topic (basic information on selecting a topic)
TimeSaver: Legal Research & Writing (information on legal research & writing)
LawGuide for Law Review (information on topic development and preemption)

Tip 5.  Know the Policy on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence.   It is prohibited (see the student handbook) unless you are expressly granted permission by your instructor or supervisor in writing.  The prohibited conduct includes “using generative artificial intelligence, text generated by research databases, large language model chatbots, or similar tools to produce, derive, or assist in creating any materials or content for any course or program, at or under the auspices of the law school. Notwithstanding the foregoing, students are permitted to use AI tools to identify documents in research databases or to review student-created materials or content for spelling and grammar.”

Tip 6. Ask for help when you need it. Regardless of where you are in your topic selection and research process, meeting with a research librarian is an invaluable step to help formalize your thesis and research trajectory.  The library provides individualized research consultations for students to assist in the development of research strategies based on individual needs. To schedule a research consultation with a law librarian, contact us via Ask a Librarian, or by email at LawLibraryHelp@rwu.edu.

Furthermore, the writing center and Justin Kishbaugh, PhD., the Associate Director of Academic Success & Professor of Writing, can assist you with your writing. If you are interested in scheduling a writing consultation with Dr. Kishbaugh, he can be reached at jkishbaugh@rwu.edu. Happy writing!