This module ensures students receive a robust and practical hands-on training in a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and analytical techniques that researchers studying crime and society use. Topics covered, include broadly quantitative approaches e.g. surveys and capturing social attitudes and content analysis, and broadly creative qualitative approaches e.g. including in-depth interviewing, elicitation techniques (including sensory/auditory which are important for prompting memories and story-telling) community and participatory approaches, ethnography and participant observation. Students will also be taught about secondary sources (e.g. statistics, archive sources and comic books). The course will also cover sampling and recruitment. Ethical issues will be given special emphasis

1. Deliver a 15-minute e-poster presentation that showcases key features of students’ individual dissertation research proposal (and completed ethics form)¿
¿
E-poster presentation should include:¿
¿
A succinct and critical review of literature on the topic and research methods used to research the topic to date¿
Identification of gaps in knowledge, research question, aims and objectives¿
Outline of research strategy and method student proposes to employ to study topic¿
Plans for sourcing/generating data including anticipated merits and limitations of such a strategy¿
How their investigation would meet ethical guidelines¿
Identify which level of ethical approval is required for student’s proposed research project and complete appropriate ethical review form to a high standard (meets learning outcomes 1, 2 3 4 5)¿
¿
2. Completion of weekly learning journal entries (250 words per entry). Each entry will act as a ‘research diary’ that records progress relating to the research project (meets learning outcomes 1, 2, 4)¿
¿
At scheduled points in the module, learners are provided with opportunity to submit formative assessment and learners will receive formative feedback on their coursework¿

Asynchronous learners will have access to recordings of 12 lectures and 12 workshop discussions¿

¿

¿
Blackboard will be used to host podcast lectures and teaching materials. Students will also have access to an electronic coursepack of electronic readings which contain links to pdfs of readings relevant to each week’s topic.¿
¿
All learners should complete the required readings before each session and any pre-workshop activities. This preparation will give students a deeper understanding of different research methods, research design, an introduction to analysing quantitative and qualitative data and writing a research proposal.¿

¿
Throughout the module feedback will be provided:¿
¿
Technologies such as padlet will be used so students can unpack their ideas for their independent research projects and allows peer and tutor to offer feedback on these ideas so they can be strengthened¿

Students will be given both informal feedback on formative work and written feedback on their final assessment¿
¿
Working towards assessments by completing weekly learning journal entries that act as a research diary that allows students to record reflections and chart progress on the different stages of their research projects. Relevant material from these weekly learning journal entries can be woven into their final assessment¿
¿
Between week 5-6, learners will have the opportunity to submit a formative assessment (in the form of a 5 minute poster presentation plan of key points they intend to include in their assessment & receive formative feedback) that informs the final summative coursework.¿
¿
In terms of practical arrangements for delivery and staffing on the part-time route:¿
The bulk of delivery of the module (e.g. lectures and workshops will be delivered in the second semester (so the module leader, delivers to both full time and part-time learners) to avoid duplication of content & resources and maximise opportunities for learners to gain peer learning support.¿¿

¿

During semester 3, part-time learners will complete a series of research proposal tasks, independently, and module leader will arrange to meet part-time learners in week 7 and 14 for assessment support.¿¿

¿

Additionally, use of peer networking discussion boards on the VLE will be used, to support motivation on the project.¿¿

Part-time learners will submit their research proposal poster presentation in week 15 of semester 3.

E-POSTER PRESENTATION DISSERTATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND COMPLETED ETHICS FORM -

WEEKLY COMPLETION OF LEARNING JOURNAL ENTRIES - 250 WORDS PER ENTRY

A flat lecture/workshop, computer lab/room large enough for independent and group work and a projector for powerpoint presentations.¿
Computer lab with computers with Microsoft office, powerpoint and analysis software packages e.g. SPSS and Nvivo¿
The Blackboard VLE will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook¿
University Library¿
eLibrary Resources¿
Blackboard¿
Internet

Bell, J (2010) Doing Your Research Project. Maidenhead: Open University.¿
Bryman, A (2012) Social Research Methods. 4th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.¿
Field, A (2009) Discovering Statistics using SPSS: and sex, and drugs and rock n roll. 3rd Edition. London: Sage.¿
Ritchie, J Lewis, J Nicholls, C & Ormston, R (2014) Qualitative Research Practice. A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. London: Sage.¿
Mason, J (2018) Qualitative Researching. 3rd edition. London: Sage.¿

This module ensures students receive a robust and practical hands-on training in a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and analytical techniques that researchers studying crime and society use. Topics covered, include broadly quantitative approaches e.g. surveys and capturing social attitudes and content analysis, and broadly creative qualitative approaches e.g. including in-depth interviewing, elicitation techniques (including sensory/auditory which are important for prompting memories and story-telling) community and participatory approaches, ethnography and participant observation. Students will also be taught about secondary sources (e.g. statistics, archive sources and comic books). The course will also cover sampling and recruitment. Ethical issues will be given special emphasis