Research in Legal Science

How relevant is the dichotomy “qualitative versus quantitative research” within the legal scientific research? Is conceptual legal analysis out-dated and empirical socio-legal methodology should gain more significance? These questions shall be addressed at the light of the research topic of the new challenges in preventing and investigating terrorism and other forms of transnational organised crime. The legal response has to be taken at an international or supranational level, and while ITS allow to act beyond sovereign borders, most of the mechanisms are still state-based and subject to their own constitutional framework. Questions as the possibility of accessing electronic communications and data located out of the territorial borders; or the question if the information gathered for preventive or security purposes could be used under certain circumstances as evidence need to be rethought. In how far quantifying data can provide a more accurate methodology to these questions is to be discussed.