CRIM4020Honours II: Criminological Research Methods

Course handbook

Description

This course is the second of two honours level courses that build knowledge and understanding about the philosophy and history of criminological research. This course focuses specifically on the practice of research and explores the idea of research as design. The course enhances digital research skills and capacities in reading and reviewing literature, critical reasoning and argument. The course includes – discussions of pure and applied research methods in criminology, ethics, research design, and on-line bibliographic searches and writing techniques.

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Use advanced features of reference, data analysis and data management software to systematically manage and organise quantitative and qualitative information.

2. Systematically and methodically analyse own and others' assumptions through analysis of own and others' written work.

3. Critically evaluate the relevance of research methods when presenting a position.

4. Demonstrate the capacity to identify high quality research at an honours level.

5. Use professional academic writing conventions for the purposes of communicating complex ideas and procedures.

Content

CRIM4020 focuses on the practice of research. Topics that will be covered may include: 

• Research design
• Identifying a research problem
• Deductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning
• Literature search
• Literature review
• Building an Endnote library
• Data management
• Ethics
• Analysis
• Report writing 

Assumed knowledge

A minimum credit average in criminology major or degree.

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Literature Review

Written Assignment: Research Proposal

Presentation: Presentation

Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.