University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UPSN7Y-30-M Title: Criminological Research Methods Version: 1
Level: M UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Sociology and Criminology
Valid from: Jan 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to MSc
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the role and purpose of research, both theoretical and practical, in Criminology. (Component A1)
2) Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of important contemporary topics/themes of research in the field of criminology and criminal justice. (Component A1)
3) Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the link between theory and applied research within criminology. (Component A1)
4) Demonstrate an ability to critically contrast the diverse research methodologies used in criminology, as well as the rationale for using each (especially qualitative and quantitative approaches). (Component A1)
5) Demonstrate an ability to develop, carry out, analyse and write up a piece of qualitative research. (Component A1 & Component A2)
6) Demonstrate an ability to develop, carry out, analyse and write up a piece of quantitative research. (Component A1 & Component A2)
7) Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the ethical issues involved in all forms of criminological research. (Component A1)
8) Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate criminological research (including the students own research). (Component A1)
9) Demonstrate an understanding of how to develop a research proposal and the processes involved in carrying out a piece of [funded] real-world research.
Syllabus outline:
This module will address the following themes and issues in regard to Research Methods in general, and specifically in regard to Criminological research:
- What is research?
This section will focus on what the purpose of research is, the relationship between theory and practice, research themes within criminology; types of research methodology used within criminology; critical analysis; ethics; and how to design and receive funding for a piece of (quantitative/qualitative) research.
- Quantitative research methods in criminology
This will focus on what quantitative research is, the most common methods, how to develop, execute, analysis and write up a piece of quantitative research. In doing so it will address issues such as survey and questionnaire development; meta-analysis; Analysis of quantitative data using SPSS (incl. correlation; chi sq; t-tests; factor analysis; meta-analysis; ANOVA); and writing up/presenting quantitative research.
- Qualitative research methods in criminology
This will focus on what qualitative research is, the most common methods, how to develop, execute, analysis and write up a piece of qualitative research. In doing so it will focus on types of research (literature based research; interviews [structured/semi-structured/non-structured]; ethnography; observation); reflection; Analysis of qualitative data (content analysis; discourse analysis); and writing up/presenting qualitative research.
- Mixed methods research
This will focus on what qualitative research are the most common methods, how to develop, execute, analysis and write up a piece of qualitative research. This will focus on Triangulation & Evaluation based research.
Teaching and learning methods:
This module is offered entirely by distance learning. Students are given a key text, workbook, access to the relevant resources (Library databases & SPSS/NUD*ST) and reader (of extracts from other documentation on the topic) for each part of the module. The workbook acts as a "tutorial-in-print", encouraging students to carry out activities, which are followed by the "tutor's" comments. In addition, students will have online topic orientated discussion groups (where the tutor is present) and chat rooms (where the tutor is not) via blackboard. A minimum of four e-tutorials will be provided by the academic tutor.
Reading Strategy:
Essential reading will be provided electronically or as printed study packs. Chapters from several key works will be available electronically via the Library’s Digital Collections Students will be encouraged to read widely using a variety of bibliographic and full text databases, and Internet resources. Guidance to some key authors and journal titles available through the Library will be given on Blackboard. There are some excellent books published in this subject area. Students will be encouraged to buy at least one book. A list of recommended titles will be provided in the Module Handbook and updated annually.
Indicative Reading:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
There will be core texts that the teaching is based upon (which will be supplemented by additional material):
Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods, 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2008). Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2008). Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2008). The Landscape of Qualitative Research, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Field, A. (2005). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 2ND Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
King, R. D., & Wincup, E. (2008). Doing research on Crime and Justice, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Pallant, J. (2007). SPSS survival manual, 3rd edition. McGraw Hill.
Robson, C. (2002). Real world research, 2nd Edition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Assessment Strategy
It is anticipated that this programme will include two distinct cohorts of students; those who are currently engaged in criminal justice practice work and those who wish to continue from undergraduate to postgraduate study. This may include, for example, researching the contemporary practice role for the former group and research around contemporary criminal justice issues for the latter. The module assessment will reflect this variation by incorporating a student/tutor negotiation process to ensure that coursework draws upon, and is related to, cohort identity.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: N/A
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1 3000 word research proposal 70%
2 2000 word data analysis assignment 30%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1 3000 word research proposal 70%
2 2000 word data analysis assignment 30%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………