Doing Criminology

• Topics

  • Introduction and After-the-Fact Methods of Investigation and Evidence Gathering
  • The Before-and-After Method of Investigation and Evidence-gathering
  • The Control-group Method of Investigation and Evidence-gathering
  • Applied versus Basic Research
  • Rational and Empirical Evidence
  • The Role of Theory and Development of Accumulated Evidence and Knowledge
  • Survey Research/Investigation: How to Ask the Right Questions
  • Sampling: From Whom (and how) Do We Collect Evidence/Information?
  • Correlation versus Evidence of Causation in Survey and Existing Data
  • Inferring Causation - Does Ice-cream Cause Crime?
  • Advanced Topics and Measurement/evidence Quality. Final Matters Pertaining to Assessment 2
  • Gathering Evidence Ethically and Final Wrap-Up

• Study resources

  • Instructional Methods

    • Disscusion forum/Discussion Board
    • Online assignment submission
    • Podcasting/Leacture capture

  • Online Materials

    • Resources and Links
    • Printable format materials

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject is intended as an introduction to research in criminal justice and criminology. Some of the students taking the subject will likely enter professions in criminal justice and some may move into more research-oriented professions in criminology. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the research methodologies used in the criminal justice and criminological literature. Students begin by learning the logic of research methodology in the social sciences and then learn how researchers in criminology carry out research projects.

Assessment details will be advised at the beginning of the subject offering.

• Assignment 1 - Invigilated Exam (40%)
• Assignment 2 - Online Quizzes (20%)
• Assignment 3 - 4-Part Research Proposal (40%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.