Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Prof Martina Feilzer

The general aim of this 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, critically review the existing academic literature and research on the topic, carry out a piece of empirical research on a topic of policing, and reflect on the research process. Primary research will only be conducted with ethical approval from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Indicative content -Designing research questions -Designing a research project -Research ethics -Systematic literature reviews -Reviewing existing research -Choosing quantitative or qualitative or mixed methods research -Data analyses -Presenting research findings

threshold

D- to D+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory. For a threshold grade, engagement with the academic literature is weak; the student's ability to summarise theory will be mainly descriptive; and there will be little critical analysis and understanding of how theory relates to policing practice.

good

C- to B+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory. For a good and very good grade, there will be good engagement with the academic literature, reflected in the use of a wide range of academic sources; the discussion of the academic theory will go beyond mere description and there will be a critical analysis of theory and how it is applied to policing practice.

excellent

A- to A+ Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory. For an excellent grade, there will be extensive engagement with the relevant academic literature; a sophisticated presentation of academic theory and a well developed critical analysis of theory. Students will show an excellent grasp of how theory relates to practice.

1. Present a substantial written piece of work based on independent empirical research

2. Design a piece of empirical research and analyse primary or secondary data

3. Show engagement with principles of evidence based policing

4. Present research findings in an accessible manner

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

6. Evidence an understanding of quantitative or qualitative research methods

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Reflection		20.00
	Research report		80.00

		Hours

• 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
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
• 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

• 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
• 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
• 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

Optional in courses:

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