Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 9 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 7 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 2 x 2 Hour Practicals |
| Seminar | 1 x 2 Hour Seminar |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Critique - A critique of an example of a specific research method either qualitative or quantitative (1000 word essay) | 34% |
| Semester Assessment | Interpretation of data - An exercise involving the interpretation of a table of statistical data (1000 words) | 33% |
| Semester Assessment | Report (Interviewing) - A report on an exercise in qualitative interviewing (1000 word essay) | 33% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Critique - A critique of an example of a specific research method either qualitative or quantitative (1000 word essay) - if element failed | 34% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Interpretation of data - An exercise involving the interpretation of a table of statistical data (1000 words) - if element failed | 33% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Report (Interviewing) - A report on an exercise in qualitative interviewing (1000 word essay) - if element failed | 33% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Understand some basic statistical concepts and techniques (e.g. measures of central tendency, correlation)
2. Conduct a qualitative interview
3. Construct a survey questionnaire
4. Appreciate the general strengths and limitations associated with quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis in criminological settings
5. Read and critically assess empirical criminological research studies
6. Recognise the limitations of empirical data and how quantitative and qualitative data can be misused
Brief description
Students are introduced to some fundamental principles of research design, data handling and interpretation embracing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. There are opportunities for students to actively engage in the research process, developing observation skills and undertaking one-to-one interviewing.
Content
- Sample survey research
- Questionnaire design
- Qualitative interviewing
- Basic quantitative methods
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Many criminological research studies are based on analyses of quantitative data. One third of the module is devoted to developing an understanding of basic statistical techniques and quantitative research methods |
| Communication | Oral communication will be encouraged in both seminars and workshops. As much of this module concerns acquisition of communication skills (e.g. the qualitative interviewing exercise) interactive learning is particularly important and oral participation is a central aspect of this and will therefore be strongly encouraged. It will also feature in group work and the workshop sessions. Written communication will be developed through the writing of different types of assignments to test the acquisition of key skills |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will have ample opportunity to test this in both seminars and workshops. The ability to test and reflect on leaning is essential to successful personal research and to the assessment of other people's research methodologies and designs |
| Information Technology | Students will need to be able to conduct effective library and web searches. They will be introduced to electronic ways of keeping and analysing data |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Interviewing skills, working in groups and time management |
| Problem solving | The whole ethos of the module revolves around problem solving. It is what social science research is centrally about and therefore the module will be heavily concerned with encouraging and nurturing this skill |
| Research skills | The module will introduce students to key subject specific and practical research skills |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | The workshops and practical classes will involve students working in pairs and small groups to design a research instrument and conduct face-to-face interviews. Reflecting on their experiences will form an element of the assessment |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4