Skip to Main Content

HCS221 & HCS532 Research Skills Guide: Introduction

Legal research

Welcome to the HCS221 & HCS532 Research Skills Guide.

This guide is designed to assist you when conducting legal research for your Assessment 1 essay.

This guide will cover:

  • Legal research process
  • Secondary sources
  • Case law
  • Legislation
  • Referencing in law

For anyone studying HCS221, you will use APA7 as your referencing style.  If you would like a refresher about other library skills, such as sources of information, using journal databases and more, head over to the SOC101 Research Skills Guide.

If you are studying HCS532, you will use AGLC4 as your referencing style. You should be able to find refresher information about other library skills in the HCS406 Research Skills Guide. I also recommend heading over to our Legal Research Skills Guide for more technical information about searching for legal resource material. Plus check out the International Law and Law Library Resource Guides.

Most important of all, use your librarians! If you need help with anything library or research related, get in touch with the library.

Wishing you the best for the study ahead!

eBook etiquette

eBooks can be accessed by a few students at a time. To ensure all students have equal access to these textbooks:

  • Access the chapter you need
  • Print to PDF or download a chapter
  • Close the browser to exit the book, so it can be used by other students. 

Your print quota will reset after 24 hours.

Your downloads are for your own personal use. Under copyright law, portions or chapters from this book may not be shared or made available online, including within Interact2 sites and on social media.

Library classes for research skills

Help from a librarian

Introduction to legal sources

We'd love your feedback!

We would love to know how this guide helps you with research in this subject! Your feedback helps us to improve our content and delivery.

All responses are anonymous. This survey should take no longer than 3 mins to complete.

Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.Acknowledgement of Country

Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.