Dissertation (CrimPsych)

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Transferable and generic skills: - Assemble a diverse range of primary and secondary information into a coherent narrative of inquiry. - Locate your research within a wider body of relevant research literature. - Identify and execute specific practical measures to maintain your research. - Manage the competing demands associated with small-scale research commitments.
• Knowledge and understanding of: - Appropriate sources of literature (theoretical and substantive) in relation to a specific research topic. - Identifying gaps in knowledge in the literature and formulating appropriate research questions - Methods of research and analysis appropriate to your study - Interpreting your research findings - Identifying the implications of your study and their relationship to the wider research literature. - The strengths and weaknesses of your own and other related research. - An in-depth understanding of conducting social science research, including issues of ethics and risk.
• Subject specific intellectual skills: - Locate, read and critically evaluate appropriate sources of literature (theoretical and substantive) in relation to a specific research topic. - Manage your time efficiently and effectively in carrying out an independent investigation. - Organise information from different sources (primary and/or secondary) in a coherent and readily-retrievable manner. - Demonstrate an ability to sustain motivation throughout your inquiries. - Identify and carry out procedures for overcoming routine research problems. - Recognise the importance of deadlines, and respond appropriately.

This module gives you the opportunity to engage in in-depth independent, guided study. Once you have submitted your dissertation proposal (at the end of Year 2) you will be allocated a supervisor. Some readings are prescribed by supervisor and others are located by the student.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods include:

Independent study. A Dissertation supervisor will be assigned to you at the end of Year 2 and provide you with feedback on your dissertation proposal at the beginning of the summer vacation to help you to develop an action plan for your dissertation and to give advice.

Your dissertation supervisor will then meet with you on four further advice occasions throughout the year of the dissertation. In addition, four dissertation workshops specific to BSc Criminology and Psychology students are held across the academic year where you can get further advice about the different stages of the dissertation process.

Further, all dissertation students within SSPC are provided with additional workshops in order to provide students with advice on completion of the various stages within the dissertation process. For example, students can attend a workshop aimed to help them complete their ethics applications.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Miscellaneous resources on Blackboard. - Standardized templates - Previous exemplary submissions - Writing and format guides - Links to miscellaneous resources - Lists of milestones and deadlines

Textbooks

Corbetta, P. (2003). Social Research: Theory, Methods & Techniques. London: Sage.

Lyons, E. & Coyle, A. (2016). Analysing Qualitative Data in Psychology. London: SAGE.

Davies, P. et al (2011). Doing Criminological Research. London: Sage.

Walliman, N. (2011). Your Research Project: A step-by-step Guide for the First-Time Researcher. London: Sage.

Seale, C. (2012). Researching Society and Culture. London: Sage.

Moore, N. (2006). How to do Research: The Complete Guide to Designing and Managing Research Projects. London: Sage.

Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

King, R. and Wincup, E. (eds) (20007). Doiing Research on Crime and Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Forrester, M.A. (2010). Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide. London: SAGE.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide for Small Scale Research Projects. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Nester, P. (2015). Research Methods in Psychology: Investigating Human Behaviour. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Weiner, I.B. (2013). Research Methods in Psychology. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons inc.

Noakes, L. and Wincup, E. (2004). Criminological Research: understanding qualitative methods. London: Sage.

May, T. (2011). Social Research: Issues, Methods & Process. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External