SS8069 - Research Methods 1 (2019/20)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2019/20, but may be subject to modification | |||||||||||||||
| Module title | Research Methods 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Module level | Doctoral (08) | |||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | |||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | |||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | |||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2019/20(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
Within the Professional Doctorate there are two Research Methods Modules. These modules collectively will provide the fundamental knowledge that is required in order for students to complete successfully a piece of research required for a dissertation or thesis.
Both Research Methods modules are inter-related and should be considered as an integrated approach to understanding and applying research methods to data collection and analysis. The titles Research Methods and Research for Professional Doctorates I and II is to designate at there are two modules; they are not sequential, they are inter-related. Students on the course may take them in either order, i.e. it is not necessary to have completed I before taking II
This module forms an introduction to practical research skills and their application
It develops and improves individual student's discernment of information and sources for effective research and facilitates effective identification of, and handling and deploying various sources of data
Syllabus
The module will cover
study and research techniques LO1, LO2, LO3
evaluation of information - witting and unwitting testimony; LO5
research about policing and law enforcment issues and evaluation research; action research; LO5
academic writing at doctoral level; LO3
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Taught lectures, presentations and group discussion, 30%
and individual reflection study and preparation 70%
This module will be delivered as a long-weekend short course comprising lectures and seminars and based on a collaborative process involving students' active participation and indpendent learning and reflection. Self directed,independent learning allows students to explore substantive issues for themselves.
Continued support and guidance will be offered during coursework and assessment. Discussion topics which,besides developing the students, will provide ongoing feedback and also opportunities for the student to engage in independent learning in order to further make individual contributions to the preentations.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
1. Understand differing research methodologies
2. Evaluate differing types of information and different data relevant to law enforcement issues
3. Appraise the depth and context of sources and their application in compiling, writing and citing in the thesis
4. Know how to search for and evaluate information
5. Understand the differences between research about crime and policing and evaluation of initiatives and projects
Assessment strategy
The individual assessment is that which students discuss research methods and apply the most apposite to a chosen topic relating to law enforcement and how they would carry out research.The assignment will be of 5000 words
The group assignment is a research-related task, delivered by the group in a 30 -minute presentation during the course of the module.
Bibliography
Identify core and additional reading
Liaise with Library Services to confirm availability of on-line licenses in academic year
Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module. Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks. Reading Lists will be updated annually.
Booth W (2003) The Craft of Research (2nd edition), University of Chicago Press,
Booth W (2003) The Craft of Research (2nd edition), University of Chicago Press,
Bryman A (2015) Social Research Methods (5th edition), Oxford University Press,
Fiege EL and Ott K (1999),Underground Economies in Transition, Ashgate.Murray-the Introduction section explaining the methodology the authors used.
(2003) How to Survive Your Viva, Open University Press,
Flick U(2013) Introducing Research Methodology Sage Publications
Marples DR(2004)The Collapse of the Soviet Union- section on documents and sources, Pearson Longman
Taylor, SJ Bogdan,R & DeVault M (2016) Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods Wiley Publications
Tilley N, (2005) Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety. Cullompton: Willan