CM2S039 - Research Methods and Statistics 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM2S039
Module Title: Research Methods and Statistics
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Post Compulsory Education
Module Leader: Ryan Jarvis
Module Team: Ian McKim, Sara Davies, Lowri Bracey
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100484 - criminology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

The module aims to provide students with:

1. the ability to understand and apply a range of research theories to the study of crime and criminal justice.

2. the ability to design research activities as applied to the study of crime and criminal justice including ethical guidelines, data collection and appropriate methodologies.

3. the ability to analyse and present quantitative and qualitative data for the purposes of research in the study of crime and criminal justice.

4. an understanding and insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative and quantitative research in the study of crime and criminal justice.

Content Summary

This module will teach the principles of research and research design as used within the study of crime and criminal justice. The module content will include sources of data such as crime statistics along with strategies for surveying and sampling. It will include the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using industry standard software and applying a range of statistical techniques appropriate to the area of crime and criminal justice.

The module will include method selection for research design including experimental (hypothesis), quasi-experimental and grounded theory. It will provide students with knowledge of a range of strategies for research design, data collection and analysis in the context of crime and criminal justice including ethical considerations. It will include consideration of the selection of appropriate statistical techniques for the subject area and the research design selected.

Formative assessment will occur through the submission of a draft outline research topic and question for review and feedback. This will then be revised and submitted as a research proposal. This is designed to give students the experience of the stages and processes used in research project activities as they progress through their learning.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 40
Directed Study 40
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify relevant research methods and design an individual research proposal relevant to the study of crime and criminal justice using appropriate theories, methodology, research design and a consideration of ethics.
LO2 Analyse and present quantitative data related to Crime and Criminal Justice using relevant techniques and appropriate formats utilising relevant software.
LO3 Analyse and present qualitative data related to Crime and Criminal Justice using relevant techniques and appropriate formats utilising relevant software.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Set Exercise - Not Time Constrained (CW) Set Tasks - not-time constrained 1 Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis exercise 0 2500 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 Outline proposal including research design, methodology and ethical considerations 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Set Tasks - not-time constrained 1
Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1

Reading List

Babbie, and E. Maxfield, M. (2014) Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology. Wadsworth Publishing.

Caulfield, L., and Hill, J. (2014) Criminological Research for Beginners: A Student’s Guide. Abingdon: Routledge.

Dantzker, M., Hunter, R. and Quinn, S. (2015) Research Methods for Criminology & Criminal Justice. Jones and Bartlett.

Davies, P., Francis, P. and Jupp, V. (2011) Doing Criminological Research 2nd Edition. Sage: London.

Finch, E., and Fafinski, S. (2012) Criminology Skills. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Maxfield, M. (2015) Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology. Wadsworth Publishing.