SJD research requires a high level of legal analysis as you plan and write an extended thesis. SJD research is frequently conducted from foreign and comparative perspectives. Comparative law research is focused on the common legal problem of the compared legal systems in two and more different jurisdictions, generally of different countries. Foreign law research usually involves searching for the primary materials of other countries: constitutions, statutes, codes, regulations, and court judgments or opinions. Research can also involve searching for translations of primary materials, and use of secondary sources, either legal publications of other countries, or U.S. publications on the law of other countries.
The purpose of this research guide is to introduce sources on comparative law, offer starting point and introductory sources for legal research, and to provide primary and secondary sources for comparative law research. The research guide also provides users with general research strategy tips and tricks to find supporting materials.
Originally published January 2021 by David Yoo.
Last updated August 2025 by Amy Flick and Isa Elfers.
