module specification

The module aims to:

1. Give students the opportunity to reflect upon their learning to date and define and research a topic of interest to them in the light of that experience.
2. Give students the opportunity to design and plan an independent research project and to produce a research proposal outlining the field of interest, proposed methodology and ethical considerations.
3. Enable students to produce a written piece of research which demonstrates awareness of the relationship between criminology and related fields and the limits of knowledge.

The syllabus will focus on preparing students for their research project through a series of workshops in the autumn term.  The workshops provide advice and guidance on the key aspects:

• Choosing a topic and planning your research project
• Reviewing the literature
• Methodology
• Researching people – Ethics and Access
• Good research guide–past students examples/experience
• Data collection/analysis                                                           
• Writing up                                                                                       

After the autumn term, the module consists largely of students’ self-directed learning activity.

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO5

Workshops: Students attend up to 10 workshops which address issues relating to conducting a student research project.  The sessions are run by the module leader with the support of criminology colleagues and guests/past students.  Workshops are constructed in relation to key aspects of designing and conducting a research project.  The sessions will be interactive and will provide students with an opportunity to seek clarification on various stages of the research project.  Group activities and discussions also provide a forum for students to engage with their peers and discuss their progress and experience.  Opportunities are also provided for students to engage with guest speakers in relation to the research experience.

Supervision: Each student is allocated a supervisor who will offer guidance and advice throughout the research project.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate in writing their capacity to define a research problem and research a topic within the criminological field (and related fields) and reflect upon the limits of the field/s.
2. Demonstrate reflexive practice in the development of research including reflecting upon the skills developed and the ways in which these may be useful in the future.
3. Use seminal and current research appropriately as a resource in research and other appropriate sources, recognising the limits of resources available and engaging critically with them.
4. Specify and/or conceptualise problems arising in the research process and reflect in writing, upon the ethical issues which arise in research.
5. Identify an appropriate methodology for a particular research project, recognising its limits.

The module is assessed using a processual strategy.  This involves 2 units of assessment.
1. Research Proposal (1000 - 1500 words) – (10%) (Week7)
2. A written discursive project report (9,000 words) – (90%) (week 28)

Students are required to source reading materials which are appropriate for their chosen field of study – supervisors may also suggest appropriate readings.  Below is a list of texts which may be of some general use in designing and planning your research project. 

Core reading:

Bryman, A. (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016) Social Research Methods.  Oxford University Press

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

Additional reading:

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project: a guide for first-time researchers in education and social science (fourth edition). England: Open University Press.

Crowther-Dowey, C. & Fussey, P. (2013) Researching Crime: approaches, methods and application. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Davies, M. B. (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.

Denscombe, M. (1998) The Good Research Guide: For small-scale social research projects. Buckingham: Open University Press.

de Vaus, D.A. (1996). Surveys in Social Research (fourth edition). London: UCL Press

Robson, C. (2007) How to do a research project: a guide for undergraduate students. Oxford: Blackwell.

Silverman, D. (2001). Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction. London: SAGE Publications

Silverman, D. (1999). Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. Sage: London.

Winkler, A.C. (1994). Writing the Research Paper. Harcourt Brace: London.