How to Write a Legal Research Proposal

Emon introduced Dr. MD TUHIN MIA, who delivered a lecture defining legal research, its purpose, and the structure of a legal research proposal, including the background, problem statement, objectives, and methodology. Dr. MD TUHIN MIA emphasized that legal research is primarily qualitative, relies on both primary and secondary data, and the proposal must clearly define a legal problem, be feasible, and include a proposed schedule and chapterization. Participants Setu Pal, Samanta Azrin Prapty, SIYAM-UL-HAQUE RESHAD, Fahamida Faha, Iftekhar talukder, NAROTTAM HAZRA, and Jeina Saba asked questions about the abstract, data sources, active voice, citation standards, research findings, referencing systems, and formatting restrictions.

Introduction of Speaker and Topic Emon introduced Dr. MD TUHIN MIA, noting their expertise in Muslim law, ADR, international law, human rights, and refugee law, highlighting their Ph.D. from IIUM and over 30 published research papers. Emon then invited Dr. MD TUHIN MIA to begin their lecture on how to write a legal research proposal. Dr. MD TUHIN MIA expressed gratitude for the invitation and participants, apologizing for their current health condition.
Definition and Purpose of Legal Research Dr. MD TUHIN MIA defined research as a systematic and logical inquiry to discover, interpret, and revise knowledge or legal principles. Legal research specifically examines precedence and principles to solve a specific legal problem, which might include interpreting existing laws in light of emerging social issues, such as the example of studying the protection of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The key purposes of legal research are to identify legal gaps, propose legal reforms, and interpret existing laws.
Legal Research Proposal Structure and Content A research proposal is defined as a structured plan outlining what will be researched, why it matters, and how the study will be carried out. Dr. MD TUHIN MIA emphasized that a proper proposal must satisfy a supervisor or funding agencies regarding the relevance and feasibility of the study. A proposal should contain elements such as the background of the research, research questions, research methodology, literature review, problem statement, research objectives, and scope and limitations.
Discussion on Abstract in Research In response to Setu Pal's question, Dr. MD TUHIN MIA clarified that an abstract itself could be considered a research proposal, specifically when submitting for conferences where the abstract outlines the key elements for acceptance before a full article submission. The inclusion of an abstract in a research proposal depends on the specific organizational or funding requirements.
Research Proposal Elements and Introduction MD TUHIN MIA outlined the essential elements of a legal research proposal, which include the background of the research, research problem, objectives, research question, scope and limitation, hypothesis, literature review, chapterization, proportion, and conclusion. The introduction should set the stage for the study, explaining what the researcher intends to write and why, citing the example of exploring the legal framework for the protection of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh under national and international laws. After an initial technical issue, MD TUHIN MIA ensured the slides were visible.
Background and Research Problem MD TUHIN MIA explained that the background section should cover the general, political, or legal context of the problem, such as the Rohingya crisis stemming from persecution in Myanmar, and Bangladesh's humanitarian obligations despite not being a party to the Refugee Convention. The research problem should clearly address the core issue, like the absence of a specific refugee protection law in Bangladesh, which creates ambiguity regarding the legal rights and status of Rohingya refugees. They emphasized that a strong problem statement convinces the reader, organizer, and supervisor of the study's merit.