CRIM 700 : Research in Criminology
Arts
2021 Semester One (1213) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course begins by examining the overarching logics and foundations that shape research processes. It then explores some of the major principles of research design before discussing particular methods of research. The course covers basic statistical analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, the use of observations and documents/found sources, interviews/focus groups, ethnography and online research. These methods are frequently employed in the field of criminology and related disciplines, and have the additional virtue of being useable with minimal financial expenditure. Students will be expected to complete a small research proposal based upon unobtrusive methods.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and critically engage with various methods through examples of their application (Capability 1.2 and 2.1)
- Examine how methods can be utilised in creative ways (Capability 1.1 and 3.2)
- Discover and develop research methods to investigate criminological problems that possess access issues (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
- Critically evaluate how research methods are directly related to the conclusions that one can make (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
- Assess how research methods are directly related to the types of questions one can pose and styles of argumentation (Capability 2.2 and 4.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Practical (short statistical exercise) | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay (methodological critique) | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation (research proposal) | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay (brief research project) | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 30 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 3 hours of seminar style lectures, and the remainder of hours for reading and thinking about the content, and work on assignments.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Online
Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group discussions and these will not be recorded.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
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.
Digital 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.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
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.