CM1S18 - Researching Crime and Criminal Justice 1 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 6
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | CM1S18 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Researching Crime and Criminal Justice 1 | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Life Sciences and Education | ||
| Faculty Group: | Policing and Criminology | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Post Compulsory Education | ||
| Module Leader: | Ian McKim | ||
| Module Team: | Sarah Bradbeer, Sophie Chambers, Sara Davies, Stuart Webb | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2015 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 4 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100484 - criminology | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 6 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2021 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
This module aims to provide students with:
1. An understanding of the nature and appropriate use of quantitative and qualitative research strategies and data collection methods in gaining criminological knowledge.
2. An ability to design research appropriately and use appropriate research tools in relation to criminological problems
3. An ability to identify the ethical issues in research into criminological questions and to take action within the Guidelines of Ethical Practice for Criminology.
Content Summary
This module will consider the link between theory and research and the distinction between quantitative and qualitative research methods. The main focus of the module will be to discuss the key research strategies, sampling methods, and data collection methods in terms of their nature, appropriate use in investigating criminological problems, and design issues. Criteria for evaluating research strategies and methods will include: reliability, construct validity, internal validity, external validity, ecological validity and practical and ethical considerations.
The main research methods will be: Qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, quantitative focus groups, qualitative and quantitative document analysis, quantitative observations, ethnography.
The module will conclude by considering some of the ways in which these methods can be triangulated to gain criminological knowledge.
Appropriate criminological research studies will be drawn on to illustrate the use and value of the different research methods to collect research data and the ethical implications of their use.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 24 |
| Seminar | 24 |
| Independent Study | 76 |
| Directed Study | 38 |
| Formative Assessment - Independent | 38 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify a range of quantitative and qualitative research strategies and data collection methods and assess the appropriateness of their use in gaining criminological knowledge<br /><br /> |
| LO2 | Ability to design research, select appropriate research strategies and apply basic research tools appropriately and in a preliminary way in relation to criminological problems.<br /><br /> |
| LO3 | Recognise the ethical dimensions of research into criminological problems and identify ethically appropriate action |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Portfolio 1 | Compilation of written activities: 3 x 500 word reflective essays on the practical use of a method experienced on this module | 0 | 1500 | 50 | No | 40 |
| Synchronous Online Assessment (Exam) | Online Closed Book Examination 1 | Multiple choice questions exam | 30 | N/A | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | |
| Portfolio 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Online Closed Book Examination 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |