This course focuses on methodology and methods specific to developing and carrying out qualitative,quantitative, and mixed methods research projects on regulation, justice, and crime. It provides concepts, tools and practical knowledge to assist students in developing robust research projects. It covers key aspects of doing research such as the development of research questions, epistemological approaches, sampling, specific research methods, data management and analysis. In addition, students analyse and compare different research designs used within the fields of regulation, justice, and crime. The format combines lectures with hands-on activities and workshops, allowing students to explore a number of different approaches. The course offers students opportunities to discuss common ethical issues, with particular attention paid to concerns that emerge in carrying out research in the region, and provides an overview about ways of presenting research findings. The course will address challenges in designing, generating, and communicating evidence specific to the fields of regulation, governance, and crime.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research as an empirical social science agenda, including different concepts, approaches and methods  
2. Evaluate research designs based on a solid understanding of concepts and tools of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodology
3. Assess the relevance and appropriateness of various research methods to specific research questions
4. Understand the techniques of various research methods in undertaking fieldwork and data collection
5. Identify ethical issues that may arise while developing, conducting, and analysing research
6. Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data analysis and interpret research findings  

Research-Led Teaching

All of the session presentations are grounded in current research projects being undertaken in the School of Regulation and Global Governance by researches in fields such as criminology, law, psychology, indigenous studies, public health and political science.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

n/a

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for this course; readings are uploaded and available through the course Wattle site.

Recommended Resources

Extened and recommended readings are uploaded and available through the course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Session 1: Introduction, Foundations and Ethical Considerations	This first session is an overview of the course objectives and syllabus and will provide a general introduction to qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research and ethical considerations.
2	Session 2 : Foundations of Sampling and Research Design	This class will provide students with the foundations of sampling strategies in quantitative and qualitative research.
3	Session 3: Foundations of Data Collection and Measurement	This class will explore various facets of measurement in research.
4	Session 4: Qual/Quant - Interviewing, Focus Groups, Participant Observation, and Managing Researcher/Participant Relationships	This session provides an overview of interviews, focus groups, and participant observation as examples of qualitative methods for data collection.
5	Session 5: Qual/Quant - Fieldwork and Participatory Action Research	This session will consider different typles of fieldwork (including ethnographic fieldwork and participatory action research) and discuss fieldwork design.
6	Session 6: Qual/Quant - Approaches to Data Transcription, Management and Analysis (Part 1))	This session discusses data recording, data analysis, manual coding and data management.
7	Session 7: Approaches to Data Transcription, Management and Analysis (Part 2)	This session focuses on the use of qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo to code your data.
8	Session 8: Data Analysis and Interpretation: Descriptive Statistics and Choosing among Statistical Techniques	Sessions 8 and 9 provide a foundational overview of quantitative methodology and methods used to study crime, justice and regulation.
9	Session 9: Research Design: Experimental, Longitudinal and Cross-sectional	Following on from Session 8, this session introduces a variety of types of research designs, including experimental, longitudinal and cross-sectional.
10	Session 10 : Mixed Methods Research: Definition and Types of Design	This session discusses mixed methods research (MMR) including its philosophical underpinnings and different types of MMR designs.
11	Session 11 : Mixed Methods Research: Analysing, Interpreting and Writing-up	This session looks at more examples of MMR analysis, integration of results and various ways of writing up and presenting findings.
12	Session 12 : Mixed Methods Research: Interdisciplinary perspectives	This session looks at ways of combining different methods of research for distinctive interdisciplinary approaches.
13	Session 13: Presenting Research across Fields to Different Audiences	In this session you will have an opportunity to engage in discussion with several researchers on the challenges of communicating research results effectively, presenting research across fields and reaching different audiences.

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
In-class participation in each session	10 %	16/08/2019	28/11/2019	4
Research and Writing Plan for the Major Essay	20 %	06/08/2019	07/08/2019	1,2,3
Short Assignment	30 %	14/08/2019	16/08/2019	5,6
Major Essay	40 %	30/08/2019	30/09/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

There is no examination in this course.

Assessment Task 1

In-class participation in each session

Seminar Participation (Sessions 1-13)

Students will actively participate in each class, sharing reflections, asking questions and providing input where they have relevant experience in the topics being discussed. This includes a brief oral presentation on an issue or topic or reading, agreed and scheduled in advance with the convenor or instructor for that week.

Students' attendance at each class will be noted. Students will receive verbal feedback on their contribution to seminar discussion and on their scheduled short presentation.

Assessment Task 2

Research and Writing Plan for the Major Essay

A research and writing plan for the major essay (or for the methods section of a thesis, for students completing a thesis). Students will receive feedback on their research and writing plan in the week following submission (750 words).

Students will submit a detailed writing plan/outline for their major essay. These plans will be submitted in hard copy to the course convener during Session 6.

Assessment Task 3

Short Assignment

Students will complete a short assignment (2000 words including endnotes) engaging with and critiquing the use of a quantitative method used in a journal article selected by the student. Where the article selected is not part of the listed readings for the course, a scanned copy should be submitted with the short assignment.

The short assignment will be submitted via the Turnitin System in Session 10. Students will receive written comments in Session 11 and 12.

Assessment Task 4

Major Essay

In the Major Essay (or the methods section of a thesis proposal, if students are writing a thesis), students will engage with and apply one or more methodological approaches to their selected research questions showing the choice of research questions, rationale for the selected method(s), explanation of the proposed methods and their fit with the research question and exploration of potential limitations and possible ethical issues (3000 words including endnotes.)

The major essay will be submitted via Turnitin. Comments will be in accordance with the standards cited by the Course Expectations/Marking rubric uploaded to the course Wattle site. Feedback will be provided approximately three weeks after the submission date.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All the assignments for this course will be returned, with written feedback within one week (5 working days) of submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students