The Dissertation is designed to provide for students an opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of their course. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the subject area under study. Students are enabled to undertake first-hand enquiry and encouraged to develop an analytical and reflective approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document of rigorous academic standards.

The main component of the learning and teaching will be based around the student undertaking independent study. However, the student will be provided with supervision sessions with a nominated supervisor who will advise on subject area, literature review, method of enquiry, ethical approval, structure of written work and employment of theoretical frameworks. Several sessions will also be held as ‘refresher’ sessions on conducting interviews, constructing surveys and other aspects of research. Formative assessment will take the form of supervision discussions and feedback, in either written or verbal form, on the work being developed, including written drafts and/or an interim report and pilot study (if appropriate). Summative assessment will involve the production of a coherent written document on a subject that meets rigorous academic standards, evidencing all the knowledge and skills acquired in order to do so.

The ethics form will assess students on their ability to meet learning outcomes 1 and 3. Students will be required to outline their proposed research project, including relevant background literature, methodology and appropriate ethical considerations.

The project thesis will assess students in their achievement of all six Learning Outcomes and is set for the end of the module in week 32. Students will produce a 10,000 thesis which is an independent piece of writing and research.

The poster presentation will assess students’ achievement of all six Learning Outcomes and is set for the end of the module and will be presented to the teaching team at a date to be arranged in May. The poster presentations will be a summary of the students research process and findings lasting no longer than 10 minutes.

Learners have opportunity to submit formative assessment, as part of the module (summary, methodology, and review of literature). Learners will receive feedback on this draft work

Student learning time will be 400 hours, some of which will be module induction and contact time including supervision sessions and other student-supervisor contact, to be managed by the student. The remainder of the learning time will be independently managed, with guidance from the supervisor.

Module Learning Outcome

1. Identify and justify an appropriate subject and method of research

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge & Understanding; learning

Module Learning Outcome

2. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of subject-specific academic sources. including appropriate academic theory

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge & Understanding; learning; enquiry

Module Learning Outcome

3. Conduct independent research ethically and effectively, as appropriate to the chosen method of inquiry

University Learning Outcome

Knowledge & Understanding; application

Module Learning Outcome

4. Critically evaluate evidence, including theoretical sources and/or empirical data

University Learning Outcome

Analysis

Module Learning Outcome

5. Construct a lucid and sustained critical argument

University Learning Outcome

Analysis; reflection

Module Learning Outcome

6. Produce a professionally presented and accurately referenced thesis and poster in line with academic conventions

University Learning Outcome

Communication

The library PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc

Lecture rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work

The Blackboard virtual learning environment

Bachman, R & Schutt, R (2012) Fundamentals of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice. 2nd Edition. London: Sage.

Bell, J & Waters, S (2014) Doing Your Research Project. 5th Edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Bryman, A (2015) Social Research Methods. 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Crow, I & Semmens, N (2008) Researching Criminology. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

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

Denscombe, M (2010) The Good Research Guide. 2nd edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Esterberg, K.G (2002) Qualitative Methods in Social Research. USA: McGraw Hill.

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

King, R.D & Wincup, E (2008) Doing Research on Crime and Justice. 2nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kubrin, C. E Stucky, T & Krohn, M (2009) Researching Theories of Crime and Deviance. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Rudestram, K.E & Newton, R.E (2014) Surviving your dissertation. 4th edition. London: Sage.

None

The Dissertation is designed to provide for students an opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of their course. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the subject area under study. Students are enabled to undertake first-hand enquiry and encouraged to develop an analytical and reflective approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document of rigorous academic standards.

The main component of the learning and teaching will be based around the student undertaking independent study. However, the student will be provided with supervision sessions with a nominated supervisor who will advise on subject area, literature review, method of enquiry, ethical approval, structure of written work and employment of theoretical frameworks. Formative assessment will take the form of supervision discussions and feedback, in either written or verbal form, on the work being developed, including written drafts and/or an interim report and pilot study (if appropriate). Summative assessment will involve the production of a coherent written document on a subject that meets rigorous academic standards, evidencing all the knowledge and skills acquired in order to do so.