1. Demonstrate the ability to identify a suitable problem, devise and plan a piece of achievable evidence-based research and submit proposals in an appropriate manner.
Enquiry, Learning, Problem solving, Communication, Application

2. Demonstrate the ability to devise, plan and execute extended independent work
Enquiry & learning

3. Critically assess the topic in the context of previous work, ethics and current literature.
Analysis and Knowledge & Understanding

4. Analyse data critically and draw justified conclusions
Application & Problem solving

5. Demonstrate skills in the writing of a coherent and structured report and defend its contents under oral examination.
Analysis, application and communication

6. Critically review your own performance and success in meeting the project’s aims
Analysis, communication and reflection

This module requires students to plan and undertake an independent research project. Students will identify an issue or problem within Policing and then devise, plan and execute a substantial and ethical piece of independent research. Students will need to select, employ and adapt techniques, critically interpret and evaluate data, and present findings both in writing and orally.

College of Policing curriculum content:
Problem Solving – 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

This module will be based around the independent work of the student. There will be minimal taught content during this module due to the nature of the work required, however, skills workshops will be conducted for students to attend if needed and students will be allocated a designated supervisor who will oversee the research project and provide support and guidance for the student.

Texts/Journals will need to be consulted in relation to the topic area of the project. General text recommended include:

Cottrell, S. (2014). Palgrave Study Skills. Dissertations and project reports: A step by step guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Greetham, B. (2014). Palgrave Study Skills. How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation. 2nd Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Staffordshire University. (2018). Academic Study Skills: Dissertation. (Online). Available at: http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/dissertation

Wisker, G. (2009). Palgrave Study Skills. The Undergraduate Research Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Well-resourced library (physical and online).
Blackboard VLE
Academic skills support team
Dedicated supervisor

Must have studied L5 Research Methods and be enrolled on L6 Applying Research

The following elements allow the student to demonstrate their development throughout the module.

1. A research proposal ( 1000 words) outlining initial ideas on the Evidence Based Policing project which should contain a rational for the research, a summary of the background literature to the topic, an initial plan of work, planned methods and ethics considerations (10%), addressing outcome 1.

2. A reflective workbook showing weekly progress throughout the project, how ideas have evolved on the basis of results obtained and how the student has developed themselves through the project duration (10%), addressing outcomes 2, and 6.

3. A written report (10,000 words) detailing the background, methodology, experimental programme, results and discussion and conclusions and recommendations for further work, (70%) addressing outcomes 2-5.

4. A viva-voce examination (10%) including a question and answer session on the project showing an appreciation of its findings and significance in a wider context, addressing outcomes 4 and 5.

This module requires students to plan and undertake an independent research project. Students will identify an issue or problem within Policing and then devise, plan and execute a substantial and ethical piece of independent research. Students will need to select, employ and adapt techniques, critically interpret and evaluate data, and present findings both in writing and orally.