This module will provide you with a greater awareness of research within the department and assist in developing your skills in conducting research in an academic setting. The module will provide tuition on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a larger focus on statistical quantitative methods. You will be guided in effective use of library and IT resources for information retrieval and processing in the context of designing a research project in preparation for your Level 6 studies.

During this module you will be introduced to research areas within the department that may inspire your future career path and project selections.

Video Engagement (5%) – Learning outcome 1 and 2

Each member of the department will record a 10 minute introduction to their research area, you must watch, comment on and discuss these in order to obtain marks for this. You should use this assessment as an opportunity to critically reflect on your skills and experiences so far as well as to learn about areas of forensics that you may want to specialise in later.

Literature Review – 1500 words (45%) – Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3

Following completion of a rapid evaluation phase you will produce a literature review on a set topic in forensic science/forensic investigation. Your literature review will help you develop your academic skills, exploring the wider literature (including scientific journals, case work and forensic databases) to draw together research ideas.

Open-book Online Examination -2 hours (50%) - Learning outcomes 3 and 4

Your final assessment in this module will be a 2-hour examination; you will be tested on your knowledge of statistical testing as well as being provided with an unseen scenario and associated data – your exam will require you to analyse the data using an appropriate strategy based on what you have learnt as part of the module.

This module will guide you the process of research through lectures, student-led seminars, practical workshops and tutorials. You will gain experience in using online tools and applications for searching literature and analysis of data. Content will be provided from the forensics team to introduce you to their research areas as well as the wider research community at Staffordshire University – this will be done through a research conference and online videos.

1. Engage with novel areas of research in order to critically evaluate academic literature.

2. Outline the steps involved in research from project formulation to publication

3. Select an appropriate method for conducting a research project.

4. Use a variety of tools to analyse data from a range of sources.

Adam, C. (2010) Essential mathematics and statistics for forensic science. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Aitken, C.G.G. and Taroni, F. (2004) Statistics and the evaluation of evidence for forensic scientists. Second edition. / Colin G.G. Aitken, Franco Taroni.

Kulas, J.T. (2020) IBM SPSS essentials¿: managing and analyzing social sciences data. Third edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Pallant, J. (2016) SPSS Survival Manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS.

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

Stinerock, R. (2018) Statistics with R. A beginners guide. London: Sage.

Unlock your full potential and enhance your research skills. You'll gain a deeper understanding of research within forensic science and learn how to conduct academic research with ease. With a strong focus on statistical quantitative methods, our module will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in your Level 6 studies.

Our expert team will guide you through the effective use of library and IT resources, helping you to retrieve and process information efficiently. By the end of the course, you'll be fully prepared to design a research project that will set you on the path to success.

Not only will you develop valuable research skills, but you'll also be introduced to exciting research areas within the department that may inspire your future career path. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your academic research to the next level.