PC4T003 - Evidenced Based Dissertation 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4T003
Module Title: Evidenced Based Dissertation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Alun Davies
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Helen Martin
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 60 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 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This evidence based 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

Prior to starting their dissertation, each student will undertake 24 hours of Research Methods lectures to prepare them for the dissertation.

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 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.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Seminar 2
Project supervision 9
Independent Study 475
Directed Study 106
Total Hours Selected 600

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 in an evidence based approach.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A proposal outlining the key elements of the planned dissertation. 0 1500 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 A major written work reporting the results of a substantial research project (typically conducted over more than one term) providing a coherent argument about the topic addressed and aiming to incorporate an element of originality in the argument and /or the evidence used to sustain it. 0 16200 90 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 ✔ ✔
Dissertation / Major Project 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Bell, J. and Waters, S. (2014). Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers. 6th ed. Berkshire: Oxford University Press

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Crowther-Dowey, C., and Fussey, P. (2013). Researching Crime: Approaches, Methods and Application. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Dawson, C (2005), A Practical Guide to Research Methods (London: How to Books).

Gray, D. (2018). Doing Research in the Real World. 4th Ed. Los Angeles: SAGE

Morgan, D. L. (2014). Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: a pragmatic approach. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications.

Rogers, C., and Gravelle, J. (2014). Researching the Police In the 21st Century: International Lessons From The Field. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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

Williams, M. (1996), Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Research (London: UCL Press)