Doctrinal research is focused on the study of the law itself, and how it is interpreted and applied by courts and other legal actors. This type of research typically involves analyzing statutes, case law, and other legal sources in order to understand how the law works and how it can be used to solve legal problems.
Non-doctrinal research, on the other hand, is focused on the study of the impact of the law on society and the people who live in it. This type of research typically involves empirical methods, such as surveys, interviews, and experiments, in order to gather data about how the law affects individuals, groups, and communities.
Doctrinal research and non-doctrinal research are both important to the field of law. Doctrinal research helps to ensure that the law is interpreted and applied correctly, while non-doctrinal research helps to understand the impact of the law on society and how it can be improved.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between doctrinal and non-doctrinal research:
| Feature | Doctrinal Research | Non-Doctrinal Research |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Study of the law itself | Study of the impact of the law on society |
| Methods | Analysis of statutes, case law, and other legal sources | Empirical methods, such as surveys, interviews, and experiments |
| Goal | To understand how the law works and how it can be used to solve legal problems | To understand how the law affects individuals, groups, and communities |
Ultimately, the best type of research for a particular project will depend on the specific research questions that are being asked.