CRIM 309 : Critical Research in Criminology
Arts
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course is designed as a general introduction to the fundamental issues and problems that underpin research and the production of scholarly knowledge. It is strongly recommended for those who intend to pursue honours and/or further degrees. It should, however, also be of interest to most students as it explores concepts and debates that are important to fostering critical reasoning and applied skills. The course begins by exploring ontology (what is “reality”?) and epistemology (does our knowledge capture reality? or, can we access reality? If so, how do we do this? How much “faith” can we place in what we take to be knowledge of reality?) The course then explores two fundamental aspects of research. First, what is “data”? What role does data play in research? What can be positioned and used as data? Second, how is data analysed? That is, how do we go from data to theory, interpretation, or making arguments and knowledge claims? The course then explores these questions through applied exercises, done individually and in groups, on how certain data sets (basic qualitative and quantitative) are gathered, collated, analysed, and disseminated to the public. This opens students up to a range of different methods and includes class discussion on when formal institutional ethics system approvals are traditionally required and when they are not, and why. Given that dissertations at honours and masters levels are unlikely to involve research participants (due to the time it can take to secure ethics approval), the value of engaging 'unobtrusive' research methods are discussed to give students a range of ideas for developing possible honours or masters dissertation topics and viable ways to pursue them. However, for those interested in undertaking criminological research with communities or specific population groups, these 'unobtrusive' methods will be discussed alongside those in need of more formal ethics committee approval.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of of the major ideas by which differing research practices are broadly structured and informed (particularly within criminology and cognate disciplines) (Capability 8)
- Demonstrate an understanding of of the significance of methodology, ontology, epistemology, and onto-epistemology for research practice (Capability 3)
- Identify and evaluate the ontological and epistemological assumptions by which research and knowledge production is underpinned (Capability 4)
- Identify and evaluate the ontological and epistemological standpoint that informs and justifies one's own research questions, practices, and interpretations (Capability 1 and 6)
- Write and present a research proposal on a criminological topic (Capability 5 and 7)
- Use and critically evaluate a range of research methods commonly used in criminological research (Capability 2 and 3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Essay 1: Comprehension of Key Concepts and Theories | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignment 1: Applied Exercise 1 | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Assignment 2: Applied Exercise 2 | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Assignment 3: Applied Exercise 3 | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Reflexive Narrative | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Project: Research Project Proposal | 35% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| 6 types | 100% |
Exam Mode
Further information about exams can be found at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/about-exams.html
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 1-1.5 hours of lectures, a 1.5-2 hour applied tutorial, 3.5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2025.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
A Talis reading list will be provided. This list will also be made available on canvas modules page. The readings consist largely of at least two academic chapters and/or articles per lecture topic per week.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
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Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.