1. Identify a topic for systematic and critical review, which is at the forefront of research in relation to practice which is relevant to a legal, policing, criminal justice or forensic context; your professional role or workplace.
Analysis, Communication

2. Develop a suitable research question that enable relevant material to be interrogated effectively and conclusions drawn.
Application, Communication

3. Demonstrate a comprehensive critical understanding of the key text and other sources, both theoretical and empirical, relevant to the topic of the chosen methodology.
Analysis, Enquiry, Knowledge and Understanding

4.Make informed judgements about the current state of knowledge on the topic chosen, including possible lines of further research and present these with some originality.
Learning

5. Defend the aims, objectives, rationale and research design for the thesis research. Analysis, Communication, Knowledge and Understanding,
Application, Problem Solving, Reflection

1. A formal written thesis research proposal of 4,000 words on the student’s topic of choice relating to their field of work, professional role, or workplace, addressing learning outcomes 1-4 (weighted at 75%).

2. An oral examination of the planned research project lasting approximately 30mins, addressing learning outcome 5 (weighted at 25%)

Formative assessment will take place within individual meetings with the research supervisor to review progress and development of the thesis proposal.

This module will equip students with the knowledge and understanding to produce their own doctoral thesis research proposal. The module will include delivery of information about what makes a good research proposal; designing research questions; the role and effectiveness of the literature review for developing a proposal; communicating research design in relation to a specific question; and proposing realistic outcomes from the research.

The research proposal allows students to begin to formulate research questions and make informed choices about research methodologies for their chosen area of research, related to their legal, policing, criminal justice or forensic professional role or workplace. It requires students to critically review the literature in the area they propose to research; consider ethics and legal considerations related to the field of study; and consider appropriate methodologies. Proposals will have a clear theoretical grounding and highlight the originality of the proposed project.

Students will be taught using a range of methods through distance learning techniques. The module will rely heavily on the students’ engaging on a regular basis with their thesis supervisor in order to develop ideas and advance the research proposal in terms of providing direction for literature, previous research and research methods.

Becker, L. (2004). How to Manage your Postgraduate course. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Dunleavy, P. (2003). Palgrave Study Skills. Authoring a PhD: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Phillips, E. & Pugh, D (2015) How to get a PhD; a handbook for students and their supervisors. 6th Ed. Open University Press

University library for a range of relevant texts, e-books and academic journals.
Materials and resources on the module VLE.
Access to academic study skills tutors and resources.
Access to subject librarians for additional support.
Supervisory team
Skype or teleconferencing and video or podcast technology.