Advancing Legal Research: The importance of Social Research Methods in Contemporary Legal Studies

The article highlights the significance of utilizing social science methods in legal studies, the necessity for enhancing methodological diversity, and the practical importance of legal analysis. The data were obtained from official sources, legal and political documents. The data was analysed through thematic analysis and organized according to the main trends in the implementation of legislation. A study of law enforcement practice and a comparative legal analysis were also conducted to assess the effectiveness of legislation. The study showed that, although doctrinal methods previously used in legal studies have dominated, they are insufficient to assess the practical application of legal norms, analyse the socio-political impact on law enforcement, and predict legal trends in rapidly developing areas. To overcome the shortcomings of the doctrinal research method in legal studies, it is proposed to use an interdisciplinary methodology combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The implementation of these ideas requires institutional support, academic training, and the improvement of doctoral curricula, which involves developing research skills. The findings indicate that evidence-based legal analysis is necessary to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and there are opportunities to make the legal system more adaptable to modern challenges.