PC4D001 - Police Sciences Masters Dissertation 01 Sep 2016 - 31 Aug 2022 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4D001
Module Title: Police Sciences Masters Dissertation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing and Criminology
Module Leader: Joana Pereira
Module Team: Colin Rogers, Sharan Johnstone, Helen Martin
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake: 2013
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2016
Valid To 31 Aug 2022

Module Aims

This dissertation module allows students to further develop the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme. It provides an opportunity for independent research; a critical examination of a relevant topic of the student’s specific interest.

Content Summary

Individually determined and negotiated by each student with named dissertation supervisor.

Each student will be supervised by an individually named member of staff from the University of South Wales. There will be a flexible supervisory/learning approach consistent with the parameters of the negotiated proposal.

There will participate in student-led periodic supervisor meetings focusing on common themes and developments appropriate to the areas being studied. Students will be required to formally present their work at least once to their peer group this may be work colleagues, dissertation students, a conference presentation or other agreed example. Post-presentation discussion and debate will be facilitated. Sessions will be negotiated but normally be organised at 3-monthly intervals through the academic year.

Students will be encouraged to form a peer support group.

Independent time will be used for the exploration of relevant practice-based research issues and for the development and application of theory to, and theory in, practice.

The module will include formative assessments such as a PowerPoint presentation to peer group and supervisors.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 350
Directed Study 50
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a critical awareness of various research methodologies, utilising analytical approaches to examine their own and others’ research methodologies, data acquisition and inferences.
LO2 Conceptualise and present their ideas to a professional standard and defend them in critical debate.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Dissertation Dissertation n/a 0 12000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Dissertation

Reading List

Andrew, C., Aldrich. R. and Wark, W. (eds) 2009 ‘Secret Intelligence: A Reader’ London: Routledge

Robson, C., Real World Research, Blackwells, Oxford.

Pawson R and Tilley N, (2000), Realistic Evaluation, Sage, London.

Sherman, L., et al, (2006), Evidence-Based Crime Prevention, Routledge, London.

Bachman, R., and Schutt, R. (2003), The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice. 2nd Ed. London: Sage

Beebe, S. N. and Pherson, R. H. 2012 ‘Cases in Intelligence Analysis: Structured Analytic Techniques in Action’ London: Sage

Bell, J. (2000), Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and Social Science. Buckingham: Open University Press.