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)

JUST2330

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022

JUST2330

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

JUST2330

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

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: 37.04.32

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course is designed for students in the Master of Justice and Criminology program. Students not currently studying in the Master of Justice and Criminology should consult with the course coordinator prior to enrolling in this course.


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. You will also be guided to consider the practical and ethical difficulties associated conducting criminological research.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In the course you will develop the following graduate capabilities:

1. Take active, personal responsibility for your learning.

2. Show initiative and self-motivation in relation to your learning.

3. Adapt your learning approach to suit different tasks.

4. Apply critically reflective and active outcomes-focused learning.

5. Acquire and assess information and its relevance to particular tasks and projects.

6. Appropriately extract and apply knowledge and skills in meaningful and transformative ways.


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

 

CLO1:      Identify methodologies appropriate to answering different types of criminological research questions and locate these within the existing literature and policy context

CLO2:      Design small-scale data collection instruments, such as survey and interview questions and media or documentary data collection strategies

CLO3:      Understand best-practice principles of data collection and analysis

CLO4:      Demonstrate skills with statistical, thematic and documentary forms of data analysis

CLO5:      Prepare a short research report based on an original analysis of data

 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Employ a wide range of research tools, methods and approaches to produce new knowledge of justice issues that can guide policy development and inform decision making
  • Use appropriate ethical ideas and reflective practice skills in addressing situations and problems in justice research demonstrating cultural, social and environmental sensitivity


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 resources through a Course Reader or core textbook and also will be able to 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.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include:

 

1) Critical reflection on ethical issues (500 words, assesses CLO2)

2) Literature review (1,500 words, assess CLO3)

3) Research Proposal/Report (3,000 words, assess CLOs 1,4,5)

 

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

 

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 the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=c15i3ciaq8ca