Research Methods In Criminology
- Social Sciences
- 700 level
- 3 credit units
- 176 pages
- 22 units
This course introduces students to research methods in criminology, covering scientific research principles, techniques, and processes. It explores social research concepts, basic research principles, and ethical considerations. Students will learn about research planning, designs, qualitative and quantitative techniques, measurement concepts, and sampling methods. The course also covers research applications, ethics, documentation, footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, and abbreviations.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, research
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CSS753, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CSS753 · UNIT 1 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Research is a science. The term science is a set of general principles that guide consciously and unconsciously in search of a new knowledge. In carrying out research, social scientists use scientific methods. In this unit, we shall focus on Science and research.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the principles of scientific research in criminology.
- Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Analyze and interpret criminological data.
- Evaluate the ethical considerations in criminological research.
- Design and conduct independent research projects.
- Demonstrate proficiency in report writing and data presentation.
What it prepares you for
- Criminologist
- Police Officer
- Crime Analyst
- Research Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections
- Government Agencies
- Research Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 3: Types of Sampling II
Understanding different sampling techniques requires careful attention to detail and their appropriate application in various research scenarios.
- Module 5:
Unit 4: Scaling
Scaling methods involve complex statistical concepts and require a solid understanding of measurement theory.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 34 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Science and Research · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Science and Research.. Understand the scientific approach to social research.. Identify sources of knowledge and types of error in human inquiry..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Processes of Social Research · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Processes of Social Research.. Discuss the process of carrying out social research.. Choose a topic and formulate research problems..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 3: Research Design · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Research Design.. Explain what research design is and its components.. Differentiate the types of research design..
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 4: Foundation of Social Research · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Foundation of Social Research.. Explain basic terms used in social research.. Discuss the differences in the use of these terms for research..
- Week 5Module 1:
Unit 5: Measuring Crime and Delinquency · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Measuring Crime and Delinquency.. Explain what crime is and how to measure it.. Describe sources of crime data and crime rate..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 1: Sampling and Sampling Framework · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Sampling and Sampling Framework.. Explain what sampling is and describe steps in sampling process.. Define the sampling population and describe sampling bias..
Unit 2: Types of Sampling I · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Types of Sampling I.. Define a Probability Sample and describe the types of Probability sample..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 3: Types of Sampling II · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Types of Sampling II.. Explain what is Non-Probability Sampling.. Describe the types of Non-Probability Samples such as Quota, Accidental and Purposive Sampling..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 4: Validity and Reliability · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Validity and Reliability.. Define Validity and explain the types of Validity.. Define Reliability and explain the types of Reliability..
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 5: Hypothesis · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Hypothesis.. Know what an hypothesis is and define hypothesis.. Examine the purposes of well-formulated hypothesis..
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 1: Quantitative Research · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Quantitative Research.. Define Quantitative Research and explain the reasons for conducting Quantitative Research.. State the characteristic of a good Quantitative Research..
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 2: Qualitative Research · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Qualitative Research.. Explain the concept of Qualitative Research.. Describe the importance and characteristics of Quantitative Research..
- Week 12Module 4:
Unit 1: Data Collection · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Data Collection.. Explain what data is and the meaning of Observation.. Describe methods of developing questionnaire and their importance..
Unit 2: Questionnaire · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Questionnaire.. Explain what questionnaire is and how to construct questions in the Questionnaire.. State types of item included in the Questionnaire..
- Week 13Module 5:
Unit 3: Interview · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Interview.. Define Interview and differentiate between Structured and Unstructured Interview.. Discuss the various types of Interview..
Unit 1: Meaning and Importance of Measurement · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Meaning and Importance of Measurement.. Define Measurement in Social Research and know the importance of Measurement in Social Research.. Differentiate between variables and attributes..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all module learning outcomes and key concepts.
- Practice applying different research methods to hypothetical scenarios.
- Focus on understanding the ethical principles and their application.
- Create summaries of key theories and concepts from each unit.
- Review and practice data analysis techniques.
- Allocate specific time slots for focused study and revision.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CSS753 about?
This course introduces students to research methods in criminology, covering scientific research principles, techniques, and processes. It explores social research concepts, basic research principles, and ethical considerations. Students will learn about research planning, designs, qualitative and quantitative techniques, measurement concepts, and sampling methods. The course also covers research applications, ethics, documentation, footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, and abbreviations.
How many units does CSS753 have?
CSS753, Research Methods In Criminology, has 22 units across 6 modules, over 176 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CSS753?
CSS753 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Social Sciences.
Is CSS753 hard?
CSS753 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and research work.
How long does CSS753 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 22 units.
How is CSS753 assessed?
CSS753 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CSS753?
Criminologist, Police Officer, Crime Analyst, Research Analyst and Policy Advisor.