Module Handbook, Lecture room equipped with PowerPoint, OHP, White Board, VLE and other Presentation provisions. The use, during data handling tutorial classes of a computer laboratory with 1 networked PC per student. These PCs will have to be equipped with ‘R’, SPSS or similar packages and Microsoft Excel and the same versions of this software will have to be available to the students outside of class time. Students will have access to the necessary presentation equipment (e.g. PowerPoint, laptop and projector) for their personal presentations.

1. USE EFFECTIVELY LIBRARY AND IT RESOURCES FOR THE SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL OF INFORMATION
(Enquiry, Learning)

2. EVALUATE AND INTERPRET INFORMATION FROM A RANGE OF SOURCES AND SUMMARISE FINDINGS
(Analysis, Problem Solving)

3. DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVE SKILLS IN INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(Learning, Reflection)

4. DEMONSTRATE PRESENTATION AND EMPLOYMENT RELATED SKILLS
(Communication, Reflection)

5. UNDERSTAND, APPLY AND INTERPRET STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO FICTIONAL DATA
(Analysis, Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Problem Solving)

Barbour, R.S. (2014). Introducing qualitative research: a student’s guide. 2nd ed. London: Sage

Dytham, C (2011). Choosing and Using Statistics: A biologist’s guide. 3rd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell

Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using SPSS. 5th ed. London: Sage Publications.

Hagan, F. E. (2014). Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Knapp, H. (2017). Introductory Statistics Using SPSS. London: Sage Publications.

Lynda.com (2018). SPSS Statistics Essential Training. (Online) Available at: https://www.lynda.com/SPSS-tutorials/SPSS-Statistics-Essential-Training/182376-2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aspss%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2

Pallant, S. (2016). SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. 6th ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.

Pautasso, M. (2013). Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review. PLoS Computer Biol, 9(7) Available on line from: http://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149

Shennan, S. (1997). Quantifying Archaeology. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Silver, C.B. & Lewins, A. (2014). Using software in qualitative research: a step by step guide. 2nd ed. London: SAGE

Silverman, D. (2013). Doing qualitative research: a practical handbook. 4th ed. London: SAGE

Silverman, D. (2017). Doing Qualitative Research. 5th Ed. London: Sage Publications

Silverman, D. (2015). Interpreting qualitative data. 5th ed. London: SAGE

Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative research. 4th ed. London: SAGE

Walker, J. T. and Maddan, S. (2013). Statistics in criminology and criminal justice: analysis and interpretation. 4th ed. Burlington (MA): Jones and Bartlett Learning.

The module seeks to develop the research and associated employability skills of students through delivery of a range of lecture, tutorial and practical sessions relating to effective retrieval of information, analysis of data and the writing of reports. Content includes searching for reference material and writing of literature reviews, together with the use of appropriate research methods and data handling techniques which will be assessed in an end of semester exam. Extensive use is made of SPSS or similar statistical packages. Having devised research proposals, students are required to present their findings to an audience of academics and their peers.

1. A 1,000 word literature review relating to an area of policing research (30%), addressing outcomes 1, 2 & 3

2. A research proposal presentation relating to a relevant policing topic (30%), addressing outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4 (10 mins)

3. Online data handling examination testing knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, addressing outcomes 5 (40%) 2 hours

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via blackboard and during tutorial sessions.

In semester one, class contact is made up of 6 x 2-hour long lectures relating to a range of police relevant research topics and qualitative research methods. There are 2 x 2-hour long computer based lectures covering software packages and a 1 x 1-hour long overview of quantitative data handing techniques. Additionally, students are required to attend 4 X 2-hour long small group tutorial sessions (PDP) intended to develop skills relating to searching for reference material and writing literature reviews.

In semester two students attend 5 x 2-hour long data handling practical sessions where they are taught to use appropriate statistical analysis packages. Additionally, students are required to attend 4 x 2-hour long small group tutorial sessions (PDP) intended to develop skills relating to formulating research proposals and their presentation. Towards the end of the semester, there will be revision sessions for 2 x 2-hour long revision and mock exam session (one session for both quantitative and qualitative data handling) for students to refine their skills for the forthcoming exam.

Students will be given additional learning to complete in their own time between classes and sign posted to additional resources to further their learning.

The module seeks to develop the research and associated employability skills of students through delivery of a range of lecture, tutorial and practical sessions relating to effective retrieval of information, analysis of data and the writing of reports. Content includes searching for reference material and writing of literature reviews, together with the use of appropriate research methods and data handling techniques which will be assessed in an end of semester exam. Extensive use is made of SPSS or similar statistical packages. Having devised research proposals, students are required to present their findings to an audience of academics and their peers.