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Subject details

After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:

  1. understand and explain, in depth, the relationship between theory, research and evaluation in the social sciences generally, and in criminal justice and criminology in particular;
  2. conceptualise, develop and justify a research or evaluation project;
  3. acquire and improve knowledge and skills that will allow you to effectively analyse criminal justice projects, interventions and policies;
  4. acquire and improve core skills and competencies relevant to criminology, and in line with the Griffith Graduate, including:
    - Working independently, including gathering resources and written work
    - Managing time and multiple projects
    - Applying skills in criminological research including information retrieval, project development and evaluation design
    - Critical evaluation of academic literature and research
    - Summarise extensive literature - Employing academic writing skills
    - Employing research presentation skills
    - Working independently, including gathering resources and written work
    - Managing time and multiple projects
    - Applying skills in criminological research including information retrieval, project development and evaluation design
    - Critical evaluation of academic literature and research
    - Summarise extensive literature - Employing academic writing skills

  • Topics

    • Thinking Critically about Crime & Criminal Justice
    • General Issues in Research Design
    • Concepts, Operationalisation and Measurement
    • Research Design for Interventions
    • Data Collection Methods 1
    • Data Collection Methods 2
    • Data Analysis
    • Research Ethics
    • Managing a Research Project
    • Policy Implications
    • Revision

  • Study resources

    • Instructional Methods

      • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
      • Online assignment submission

    • Online Materials

      • Audio-Video streaming
      • Printable format materials
      • Resources and Links

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • GRF-MCCJ7022

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as Research, Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

This subject is designed to teach students the logic of research methodology in the social sciences. Students will learn how to articulate a researchable problem, formulate research hypotheses, logically determine what research methodology provides the best avenue to test these hypotheses and carry out research. Students will also develop the necessary skills to analyse and write criminal justice policies.

The subject is designed to make students of criminology 'intelligent users' of research, and provide fundamental concepts to those planning to conduct research. The subject combines reading and a series of practical written assignments. By the end of the subject, students will be provided with knowledge of how to design and execute research and evaluation projects, and how to critically assess criminal justice and criminology research, policies and programs.

  • Research Proposal Part 2 (40%)
  • Research Proposal Part 1 (30%)
  • Research Proposal Part 3 (30%)

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.

View textbooks

Related degrees

postgraduate GRF-MCJ-MAS-2018

Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice

postgraduate GRF-FMH-MAS-2018

Master of Forensic Mental Health