Course Title: Applied Research in Criminological Settings

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Applied Research in Criminological Settings

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

JUST2351

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Professor Stuart Thomas

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9656

Course Coordinator Email: Stuartdm.thomas@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.04

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course is designed to build your applied research skills in contemporary criminological research and progress your understanding of the relationship between criminological research, theories and policy. You will examine the theoretical underpinnings of criminological research and learn about designing and conducting ethical criminological research.  

Within the course, you will be supported to design, conduct, analyse and report on different types of qualitative and quantitative methods that are used in criminological research and program evaluation. You will also be guided to consider the practical and ethical difficulties associated with conducting criminological research.

Within the course, you will be supported to design, conduct, analyse and report on different types of qualitative and quantitative methods that are used in criminological research and program evaluation. You will also be guided to consider the practical and ethical difficulties associated with conducting criminological research. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes of the following programs: 

  • BP023 Bachelor of Justice and Criminology  
  • BP204 Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Identify methodologies appropriate for answering different types of criminological research questions and locate these methodologies within existing literature 
  2. Design small-scale data collection instruments
  3. Explain best-practice principles of data collection and analysis
  4. Apply your skills with statistical, thematic and documentary forms of data analysis 


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include interactive workshop activities focusing on group-based discussion and problem-solving tasks associated with designing, implementing, analysing and reporting on research conducted by the class. Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which may include lectures, guest speakers and online media. 

In order to develop your knowledge and skills, you will be expected to participate in interactive discussions and activities and to critically engage with the weekly reading materials. 

The workshops offer a supportive learning environment where you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences, and to learn from the knowledge and experience your peers. This peer-based learning may take place through small-group discussions, collaborative work on activities and assessments and/or peer reviewing of research, written work and/or oral presentations.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be given access to a wide range of online learning tools and content for your course from the student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. These resources may include book chapters, journal articles, media articles, lecture notes, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video, and links to external websites. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment will include: 

Assessment Task 1:  Critical reflection on ethical issues, 10% CLO2 

Assessment Task 2: Literature review, 30% CLO3 

Assessment Task 3: Research Proposal/Report, 60% CLO1, CLO4

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.