Nonlaw Research

Abstract

This concluding chapter explores several types of nonlaw resources for legal history research. Since the law defines the relationships that people have with the state and, frequently, with each other, it is intimately related to many other areas of scholarship and inquiry. Legal researchers will often have to expand their research beyond the law and delve into politics, sociology, economics, psychology, current or historical events, and many other areas. The list of nonlaw resources offered in the chapter is not exhaustive but includes the most important and frequently used sources: newspapers; periodical literature, monographs and dissertations; statistical resources; and public records. There are many guides to research in each of these areas. Indeed, many academic libraries provide topical research guides for free on their websites. For more in-depth guidance, researchers should use library catalogs.