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
Research methods – 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.6, 10.7, 13.1
Leadership and teamworking - 1.1, 1.2

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

1. A research proposal (1,250 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%). Students will be provided with more guidance in the module handbook and taught sessions about how entries should be written. This assessment will address learning 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 will be based around the independent work of the student. There will be minimal mandatory 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.

The students will meet with their supervisor in a 2-hour tutorial session once every three weeks (PDP).

In addition to this, the students are advised to spend approximately 1-hour with their supervisor each month and meet with their supervisor at least once a month. The remaining time will be devoted to independent work to complete the programme established in the project proposal. Students should keep their supervisor up-to-date throughout their research and update their workbooks regularly to keep their supervisor informed.

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.

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.

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

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

Silverman, D. (2015). Interpreting Qualitative Data. 5th Ed. London: Sage Publications

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

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

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