Evaluating Empirical Research Methods: Using Empirical Research in Law and Policy

Abstract

I. Introduction . . . . . 777 II. Social Science Methods and Legal Questions . . . . . 779 A. Archival Research – The Nebraska Death Penalty Study . . . . . 780 B. Experimental Research – Death Qualification and Penalty Phase Instructions . . . . . 785 III. Obstacles to Evaluating Empirical Methodology . . . . . 789 A. Biased Assimilation . . . . . 790 B. Methodological Background . . . . . 795 IV. Strategies for Evaluating Empirical Research . . . . . 797 A. Explore the Tensions . . . . . 798 B. Research in Context . . . . . 799 C. Methodological Training . . . . . 801 V . Conclusion . . . . . 80