School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Research Methods I
  • Unit Code

    CRI1208
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Nikki RAJAKARUNA

Description

This first research methods unit introduces students to the theory and method of quantitative research in criminology and justice. Students will be exposed to the scientific method and its importance in measuring, examining and understanding issues relevant to criminology and justice, including the interpretation of crime statistics. Students will explore fundamental quantitative research concepts and procedures, methods of statistical analysis as well as the interpretation of quantitative data. In this unit, students become informed consumers of research and develop the skills required to conduct a criminological research project.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CRI1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Summarise and critique quantitative research studies that investigate a contemporary criminal justice issue.
  2. Distinguish between various quantitative research methods and statistical analyses that can be applied to investigate contemporary criminal justice issues.
  3. Apply quantitative research methods to investigate contemporary criminal justice issues.
  4. Apply statistical methods to analyse quantitative data related to contemporary criminal justice issues.

Unit Content

  1. Analysing quantitative data using appropriate statistical packages.
  2. Critiquing the quantitative research process.
  3. Designing quantitative research.
  4. Ethical considerations relevant to criminal justice research.
  5. Interpreting and applying quantitative research results.
  6. Principles of quantitative research methods.
  7. Quantitative data collection methods.
  8. Quantitative research from cross-cultural perspectives.
  9. The emergence and development of quantitative research methods in criminology and justice.
  10. The role, purpose and function of quantitative research in the study of criminology and justice.
  11. Using a body of knowledge in order to develop a researchable hypothesis.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is conducted in both the on-campus and online modes. On campus students will attend weekly seminars. Online students will receive the unit content via the BlackBoard Learning Management System and online tutorials. Regular online access is essential.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Test10%
AssignmentLiterature Review20%
ReportResearch Report40%
ExaminationFinal examination30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Test10%
AssignmentLiterature Review20%
ReportResearch Report40%
ExaminationFinal examination30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1208|2|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Research Methods I
  • Unit Code

    CRI1208
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Nikki RAJAKARUNA

Description

This first research methods unit introduces students to the theory and method of quantitative research in criminology and justice. Students will be exposed to the scientific method and its importance in measuring, examining and understanding issues relevant to criminology and justice, including the interpretation of crime statistics. Students will explore fundamental quantitative research concepts and procedures, methods of statistical analysis as well as the interpretation of quantitative data. In this unit, students become informed consumers of research and develop the skills required to conduct a criminological research project.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CRI1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Summarise and critique quantitative research studies that investigate a contemporary criminal justice issue.
  2. Distinguish between various quantitative research methods and statistical analyses that can be applied to investigate contemporary criminal justice issues.
  3. Apply quantitative research methods to investigate contemporary criminal justice issues.
  4. Apply statistical methods to analyse quantitative data related to contemporary criminal justice issues.

Unit Content

  1. Analysing quantitative data using appropriate statistical packages.
  2. Critiquing the quantitative research process.
  3. Designing quantitative research.
  4. Ethical considerations relevant to criminal justice research.
  5. Interpreting and applying quantitative research results.
  6. Principles of quantitative research methods.
  7. Quantitative data collection methods.
  8. Quantitative research from cross-cultural perspectives.
  9. The emergence and development of quantitative research methods in criminology and justice.
  10. The role, purpose and function of quantitative research in the study of criminology and justice.
  11. Using a body of knowledge in order to develop a researchable hypothesis.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is conducted in both the on-campus and online modes. On campus students will attend weekly seminars. Online students will receive the unit content via the BlackBoard Learning Management System and online tutorials. Regular online access is essential.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Test10%
AssignmentLiterature Review20%
ReportResearch Report40%
ExaminationFinal examination30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Test10%
AssignmentLiterature Review20%
ReportResearch Report40%
ExaminationFinal examination30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1208|2|2