Empirical legal studies
Encyclopedia
Empirical Legal Studies is a relatively new approach to the study of law
, legal procedure, and legal theory through the use of empirical
research. Empirical legal researchers use research techniques that are typical of economics
, psychology
, and sociology
; however, ELS research tends to be more focused on purely legal questions than the related fields of law and economics
, legal psychology
, sociology of law
, and law and society.
In 2004, the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies
was launched by the Society for Empirical Legal Studies and Cornell Law School
, and within three years risen to be ranked 28th of the over 800 US law journals.
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, legal procedure, and legal theory through the use of empirical
Empirical
The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation or experimentation. Empirical data are data produced by an experiment or observation....
research. Empirical legal researchers use research techniques that are typical of economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, and sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
; however, ELS research tends to be more focused on purely legal questions than the related fields of law and economics
Law and economics
The economic analysis of law is an analysis of law applying methods of economics. Economic concepts are used to explain the effects of laws, to assess which legal rules are economically efficient, and to predict which legal rules will be promulgated.-Relationship to other disciplines and...
, legal psychology
Legal psychology
Legal psychology involves empirical, psychological research of the law, legal institutions, and people who come into contact with the law. Legal psychologists typically take basic social and cognitive principles and apply them to issues in the legal system such as eyewitness memory, jury...
, sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
, and law and society.
In 2004, the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies
Journal of Empirical Legal Studies
The Journal of Empirical Legal Studies is an academic journal that covers research on the law, legal procedure, and legal theory. The journal was established in 2004 and is published by Wiley-Blackwell in collaboration with the Cornell Law School. The journal has a 2010 impact factor of 1.565, and...
was launched by the Society for Empirical Legal Studies and Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School, located in Ithaca, New York, is a graduate school of Cornell University and one of the five Ivy League law schools. The school confers three law degrees...
, and within three years risen to be ranked 28th of the over 800 US law journals.