Is this legal research method any good?: The need to introduce quantitative research methods
Authors: Park Kiseok , Lee Kyuho ,   Wonkwang University Legal Research Institute has
Published: July 2024

Law is one of the social sciences and a field that citizens most frequently encounter in their daily lives. Despite this, legal research methods are primarily limited to literature reviews, and it is challenging to find quantitative research methods such as surveys that meticulously capture and reflect the thoughts, opinions, and intentions of the public. Legal scholars may believe that their thoughts and opinions sufficiently represent those of the public, but this can be considered intellectual arrogance. Since the overall thoughts and opinions of the public are constantly changing, laws must be created or interpreted based on frequent and comprehensive understanding of these changes. Only then will the public accept and respect the law.
Of course, introducing surveys as a legal research method does not mean that all legal issues can be resolved solely based on survey results. Adjustments must be made considering the specialized theories of law and fairness with other issues. However, the current research methods that do not reflect the public's opinions at all must be improved. For this to happen, scholars and practitioners of law need to explain legal terms in simple and clear language so that the general public can understand them. Then, they should ask the public for their opinions on these explanations. Additionally, law must be approached and understood as a field accessible to everyone. The current research methods, which make law seem inaccessible to the general public through complex and difficult terminology and explanations, are both arrogant and inefficient.
Legal research methods need to become more democratic and open. The public should be able to think and deliberate on legal issues so that the law can be democratic, reasonable, and truly authoritative. This way, the law can become more approachable, gaining trust and acceptance from the public.
Moreover, the introduction of surveys in legal research goes beyond merely collecting public opinions; it can serve as a crucial means of developing law as a ‘science.’ Surveys systematically collect and analyze the opinions and experiences of various social groups, providing empirical evidence for legal research. This significantly contributes to enhancing the validity and acceptability of the law.
Quantitative data obtained through surveys play a critical role in analyzing the correlations and causalities between social phenomena. These data, combined with advanced statistical techniques, can offer precise interpretations of social phenomena. For example, statistically analyzing the impact of a specific law after its enactment can evaluate the law's effectiveness. This approach goes beyond mere textual or theoretical analysis, enabling a concrete understanding of the law's role and impact through actual social outcomes. Even though law has normative characteristics, these norms must be based on reality, requiring the reflection of the public's actual thoughts and behaviors.
Surveys allow legal scholars to verify abstract theories within concrete and realistic contexts. By collecting and analyzing diverse public opinions, legal research can yield more objective and reliable results. This process aids in making more reasonable and fair decisions during the enactment, amendment, interpretation, and application of laws. For instance, by investigating public perceptions of actions on the boundary between crime and non-crime, the alignment of legal norms with reality can be evaluated.
Additionally, surveys are essential for understanding the various issues addressed by law within social and cultural contexts. By systematically collecting and analyzing public opinions, legal research can adopt a more comprehensive and multifaceted perspective. This enables the law to respond more sensitively to social changes and demands, enhancing its legitimacy and effectiveness. Consequently, surveys can play a vital role in developing law into a more scientific disci