Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Prof Martina Feilzer

strong textThe general aim of this dissertation module is to allow for a substantial element of independent study, to complement the taught components of the degree programme and show evidence of applying evidence based policing.

This module allows students to identify a research question in the area of policing, design a research proposal and critically review the existing academic literature and research on the topic.

Indicative content is based on indicative NPC content:

-Designing research questions

-Research ethics

-Systematic literature reviews

-Reviewing existing research

-Managing large amounts of data

-Presenting al literature review and research findings

excellent

A- to A+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse research evidence.

For an excellent grade, there will be extensive engagement with the relevant academic literature; a sophisticated presentation of academic research and theory and a well developed critical analysis of theory and research practice. Students will show an excellent grasp of evidence based policing theory and practice. Students will show an excellent grasp pf research methods and how to design a feasible research project.

good

C- to B+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse research evidence.

For a good grade, there will be good engagement with the relevant academic literature; a solid presentation of academic research and theory and a developed critical analysis of theory and research practice. Students will show a good grasp of evidence based policing theory and practice. Students will show a good grasp pf research methods and how to design a feasible research project.

threshold

D- to D+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse research evidence. For a threshold grade, engagement with the relevant academic literature is weak; the student’s ability to summarise academic research and theory will be mainly descriptive; and there will be little critical analysis of theory and research practice. Students will show a basic grasp of evidence based policing theory and practice. Students will show a basic grasp pf research methods and how to design a feasible research project.

1. For Information Only Guidance NPC Learning outcomes: 1. Explain the professional concept of evidence-based policing 2. Understand potential constraints associated with an evidence-based policing approach and identify best practice 3. Evaluate the potential professional applications of an evidence-based policing approach 4. Know how to systematically review and critically evaluate available evidence 5. Identify potential sources of evidence that can be used as part of an evidence-based policing approach 6. Explain how evidence-based policing can be applied in practice 7. Know how to optimise opportunities to obtain the best available evidence, evaluate options and develop the most appropriate solution to a given policing problem 8. Explain the principles of problem-solving techniques 9. Explain how to engage in effective problem solving 10. Carry out research to identify and understand an emerging issue or problem in a specific policing area and formulate an ethically sound research question 11. Understand the importance of planning research activities 12. Outline the strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies and approaches 13. Demonstrate skills in the use of resources and primary/secondary literary sources relevant to the degree programme 14. Demonstrate proficiency in academic writing and presentation, in accordance with ethical protocols 15. Present research on the identified issue/problem and proposals for tackling it

2. Present a substantial written piece of work based on independent literature based research

3. Show engagement with principles of evidence based policing

4. Present findings in an accessible manner

5. Evidence skills to design a feasible research question in the field of policing

6. Critically review the existing literature and research

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Individual Presentation of Research Proposal		20.00
	Dissertation		80.00

		Hours
Workshop	Monthly 2 hour workshops in Semester 1	8
Private study		180
One-to-one supervision	Dissertation support is available on a one-to-one basis. Supervisors have a dissertation drop in one hour session available on a weekly basis.	12

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• The context of contemporary policing; police culture; models of policing including community policing, evidence-based policing; the extended police family
• Crime investigation processes, criminal justice, and complex crimes
• Crime prevention measures and their effectiveness as well as human rights issues in relation to preventive and pre-emptive measures
• How crime, deviance, harm, and victimisation are socially and legally constructed; the different sources of information about crime and victimisation, how they are produced, including their location in particular legal, political, social and ideological frameworks, and how they can be interpreted
• Trends in crime and victimisation; different forms of crime and their social organisation including organized crime; e-crime, and terrorism
• Different theoretical approaches to the study, analysis and explanation of crime, deviance, victimization and policing; relationships between crime and social change and the impact of globalization
• Relationships between crime, deviance, victimisation, policing and social divisions such as age, gender, social class, and ethnicity
• Apply different policing models and communication skills as situations require
• Understanding of national decision model and the Code of Ethics in Policing to guide discretion
• Competence and confidence in using evidence in policing including identifying and deploying a range of research strategies including qualitative and quantitative methods and the use of published data sources and to select and apply appropriate strategies for specific research problems
• Recognise individuals' vulnerabilities and situations of risk (to self and others)
• Understanding the role of strategic planning, mentoring, and leadership in policing
• Ability to locate, manage, and analyse secondary data, as well as generating and evaluating empirical evidence
• Appreciate the complexity and diversity of the ways in which crime is constituted, represented and dealt with; and making reasoned arguments
• Assess the merits of competing theories relevant to crime, victimisation and policing as well as other responses to crime and deviance
• Assess the merits and diversity of objectives of competing responses to crime and deviance, including the protection of human rights and its implications for policing
• Gather, retrieve and synthesise data and information; reporting and presenting data analyses graphically and in writing

Resource implications for students

N/A

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/sxy-3024.html

Reading list

E-Books and Books available through the library

Suggested background reading (these texts may not available from the library but will be discussed during the semester in one capacity or another)

Compulsory in courses:

• L436: BSc Professional Policing (Pre-join) year 3 (BSC/PP)