Writing research papers is an intrinsic part of one’s life at the Law School. There are research papers and more of them, which ask for intricate drafting and analysis. In this issue of LegalPulp’s try on an Editorial series, we attempt to lay down certain of the important yet subtle things to be paid heed to, while authoring a research paper.
Research, as has been defined in the Pocket Oxford Dictionary means:
“The study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.”
This means that any research work involves a significantly concentrated study of innumerable related materials, in order not to restate the existing facts, but to reach new conclusions. Many a time it so happens that the research papers are written just for the heck of them, and no serious thought is given as to their intrinsic value.
For any research paper to be worth its name, the author should either shed some new light on an existing scenario, or provide with an amicable solution to a glaring problem. The Cut-Copy-Paste method followed by some of the law students will no doubt serve the purpose of submitting a ‘research’ paper, but will produce papers grossly lacking in their existential value.
Hoards and hoards of such submitted papers succeed only in lowering the bars of our education system, and do nothing at all to be at par with the world’s best Law Schools! At the end of the day, what matters is the growth of each law student as a morally responsible lawyer/legal professional, and not the increase in the number of bullet points in his/her CV!
No doubt that the CV is one’s mirror, but you would be fooling yourself into nothingness, if you have enriching your CV as your ultimate goal!
Self-enrichment should be your goal, and enrichment of your CV will automatically flow in!
Let me underscore this with Rancho’s unforgettable words:
Success ke peeche mat bhaago; Excellence ke peeche bhaago; Success jhak marke tumhare paas aayegi!
But, at the same time, we do not at all intend to say that Indian Law Students do not produce any (add “ORIGINAL” here) individual research works! We have seen gems arising out of our coveted law schools, exhibiting marvelously creative individual potential, and we salute all such stalwarts! What we have attempted here in this article is to assist the beginners – the amateurs – in grappling with the situation of authoring something as serious as an academic research paper as first-timers.
Friends, keep one thing in mind – The world needs your individuality and innovation. Do not barter it with the same old beaten and dried established facts! Indulge in the facts, only to create exclusive master pieces, that all of you are so wonderfully capable of!
All the very best!
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