Criminological Research Methods

Introduction
Students will identify the major types of research methods commonly used in criminology and justice studies, and more generally within the social sciences. They will examine specific projects conducted locally (eg violence against urban bus drivers) and internationally (eg presentation of DNA evidence in court) to discern the commonalities of research experience globally. Students will encounter the range of research methods (experimental, interviews, surveys, case studies, observational) and also the use of secondary data sources. Students will design research, submit research proposals, complete grant and ethics applications and conduct preliminary data analysis. The lectures and tutorial sessions will contain case examples about specific research studies including hands-on work and interaction with the materials. In this process, students will be exposed to ethical and pragmatic considerations essential to conducting research (eg special considerations regarding research with Indigenous groups in Australia and the resource implications of adopting survey research strategies). Students will formulate the steps required in the early phases of a project (hypothesis development, operationalisation of concepts), undertake practical considerations in refining a study (sampling, measurement, internet surveys) and illustrate their appreciation of ethical issues (data storage, privacy, consent).