The concept and the function of theory in four types of legal research

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8966/2023/73590i

Many of the doubts, disputes, and misunderstandings surrounding theory in legal research are due to our lack of attention to the fact that there are different types of legal research and that each of them understands, uses, and creates theory in its own way. Therefore, to clarify the different concepts and functions of theory, this article presents and discusses four types of legal research, which reflect different discipline dimensions: Law as a practical discipline, Law as a positivist social science, Law as an interpretivist social science, and Law as a humanity. Understanding these differences can help unmake some of the misunderstandings and anxieties around the use of theory in legal research and allow a more rigorous employment of theory by researchers. It also helps to position the field of legal research in relation to other disciplines and legal practice. 

Keywords: Legal research; Theory; Doctrinal research; Social sciences; Humanities.