Evidence-based policy development has emerged as key foundation of private enterprise and public service. Whether you're a policy officer, program manager or senior executive, understanding research and the research process is critical to innovation and improvement. In this course, students will gain an insight into how criminologists undertake research on policy related crime and punishment issues in Australia. Through a series of online and in-class exercises students will develop an understanding and the practical skills necessary to critique criminological research and implement a variety of methodological techniques.
This course is weighted towards understanding criminological research design, methods and evidence. An expert opinion or an appeal to “common sense” are often used for the basis of certain believes and behaviours. Experience in policymaking, however, implies that we must rely on evidence derived from robust research for effective and defensible decision-making. Skills in understanding and using research evidence are powerful for the exploration of substantiative research questions in social policy and criminology. Such skills are also highly sought after by employers in both the public and private sectors.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the basic principles and practices that underpin social science research;
- understand the problems that arise in real world research on criminal justice topics;
- think critically about data and the methodologies used to collate and analyse data;
- source data and interpret information appropriately; and
- communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
Indicative Assessment
- Mid-term quiz (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Oral presentation, 10 mins (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Essay (2500 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Take-home Examination (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of interactive tutorials; and,
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The prescribed reading for this course will be available in a reading brick. It will include texts from the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, history, public health and criminology.
Assumed Knowledge
This course is highly interactive and utilises problem-based learning techniques to explore key social and criminological research problems. Students are expected to participate in online activities, group work and class discussions.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $3180 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4890 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5688 | 26 Jul 2021 | 02 Aug 2021 | 14 Sep 2021 | 29 Oct 2021 | In Person | View |