ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a general and cursory introduction to ‘methods’ in international law, providing a basic understanding of what research methods are and introducing the most important steps in carrying out methodologically sound research. The aim is to ease some of the fears students of international law and international legal scholars often face when it comes to engaging explicitly with methods. This introductory section introduces students to what it means to articulate a research question, consciously choosing data, and implementing a structured analysis, while reflecting on the iterative nature of (at least qualitative) research. The following sections then expand on one of the most common methods of traditional, doctrinal engagement with international law, namely case analysis, and introduce multiple possible avenues for interdisciplinary thinking and research.
