CM4T150 - Research Project 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | CM4T150 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Research Project | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Life Sciences and Education | ||
| Faculty Group: | Policing and Criminology | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Criminology | ||
| Module Leader: | Jennifer Maher, Sophie Chambers | ||
| Module Team: | Helen Martin, Daniel Welch, Ian McKim | ||
| First Intended Intake: | Final Year of Intake: | ||
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 60 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100483 - criminal justice | 100484 - criminology | |
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 50 | 50 | |
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2023 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2029 |
Module Aims
The overall aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of the ways in which social science and criminal justice research is designed and conducted; developing students’ ability to critically evaluate research, which includes a critical discussion of policy and practice implications; and affording students’ the opportunity to apply both their understanding of research approaches and their research skills, to their own research or study.
Content Summary
Initially, students will be introduced to general research issues and considerations that underpin research in social sciences and criminal justice. Students will explore key issues that are common to all scholarly research projects, which includes developing a critical understanding of the philosophies, paradigms and theories that set the broad context of research approaches and conventions used in social science and criminal justice research. Students will cover: Research paradigms and strategies; applied ethics; how to formulate a research question; library based research approaches; qualitative research approaches; quantitative research approaches; mixed method research approaches; how to evaluate research; qualitative research methods; and quantitative research methods.
Following this exploration of research approaches, students will be required to design, conduct and write-up an advanced research or study, in the form of either a library-based reading and analysis study, or an empirical piece of research, on a relevant criminological, criminal justice, or offending issue, chosen by the student and approved by their dissertation supervisor. Students will be encouraged to choose a subject area related to their professional or work experience and/or relevant for their future development and/or employment prospects.
Prior to beginning their research, students will be required to submit to their dissertation supervisor, a detailed research proposal, including an ethics application which not only outlines the intended research area, proposed research question/s, possible theoretical, professional, and methodological approaches, research plan, and potential outcomes; but also offers a clear and well thought-through rationale for the choices made.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Project supervision | 9 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 48 |
| Independent Study | 519 |
| Directed Study | 24 |
| Total Hours Selected | 600 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Provide evidence of a critical and analytical approach to the collection, analysis, interpretation and organisation of data. |
| LO2 | Demonstrate the ability to design, plan, implement and write up a professional and advanced research or study in a specialised area with limited guidance from a supervisor. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Student Choice 1 | A specific range of assessment types are offered in order to complete the required task (e.g. dissertation, industry based/ professional practice project). The student makes a choice as to which type they use for the assessment. The criteria are the same whichever type of assessment the student chooses. The module leader will outline the choices available. One mark is awarded. | 0 | 10000 | 80 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 | Research Proposal which would be submitted at the end of the taught element of the module. | 0 | 2500 | 20 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Student Choice 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |