Which of the following best describes 'legal research'?

Legal research is fundamentally concerned with the process of reviewing legal materials, such as case law and statutes, that are pertinent to a specific legal matter or case. This activity is critical in understanding the legal precedents and rules that might influence the outcome of a case. By engaging in legal research, legal professionals can draw upon established laws and previous court decisions to build strong arguments, identify applicable legal principles, and provide informed advice to clients.

The other options, while related to legal practice, do not accurately define legal research. Gathering evidence from witnesses pertains to the discovery process rather than research itself. Writing legal documents for court submission is a necessary skill but is part of the implementation of legal arguments rather than the research that informs those arguments. Analyzing public opinion on legal matters does not directly involve the application of law and is largely outside the scope of traditional legal research, which is focused on existing statutes and case law. Thus, option A is the most precise description of what legal research entails.