LAW27310 Criminology Research Methods

Academic Year 2024/2025

This 5 credit module introduces students to the main principles of social research from a criminological perspective. It covers the key principles of research design in criminology, a basic introduction to quantitative (statistical) research, the theoretical and practical fundamentals of qualitative research as well as matters of power, politics and ethics. Students are encouraged to think critically about social research and to begin to get a practical sense of what is possible with different research methods.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the function and importance of criminological research.
2. Articulate the key issues of power, politics and ethics underpinning criminological research.
3. Identify and critique the principles of quantitative research.
4. Discuss and practice principles of qualitative research.
5. Demonstrate the ability to design basic criminological research.

Indicative Module Content:

Social Research: An Overview
Power and Politics in Criminological Research
Operationalisation and Design
Quantitative Research: a basic introduction
Critiquing Statistics in Criminological Research
Qualitative Approaches to Criminological Research
Interviewing and Reflexivity
Visual and Media Methods of Research
Secondary Methods
Presenting Research over its Course

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Lectures

24
Tutorial

4
Total

128
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered face to face with additional online material. Students will be assigned work to prepare most weeks. This may be reading, watching short videos, completing online exercises, reflection and preparing to debate, or preparing written work. Students are expected to engage with all teaching and learning activities. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Qualitative Interview and Reflection: working in pairs, students are to conduct, transcribe and analyse a (roughly) 10 minute interview and then reflect on the process. Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Research Proposal 1000 word limit Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.