Investigations: What Could,and Should,Be Taught?

Abstract

They are everywhere; inquiries. We all do it; investigate. Some people are employed to do it; detectives. Every genuine academic disciple requires it; the development of skills in identifying, collating, analysing, assessing, presenting, etc., facts as evidence for an essay, report, argument, trial. And yet no university, let alone one which proclaims the importance of encouraging multidisciplinary studies, provides a degree directly studying investigations in all their richness and variety. This article outlines the case for such a degree and identifies the core courses it should contain.

Keywords

investigations fact-finding evidence analysis assessment persuasion and proof trial

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