• Class Number 5808
  • Term Code 3160
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Gabriel T.W. Wong
  • LECTURER
    • Gabriel T.W. Wong
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 26/07/2021
  • Class End Date 29/10/2021
  • Census Date 14/09/2021
  • Last Date to Enrol 02/08/2021
SELT Survey Results

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:

  1. understand the principles that underpin social science research and the problems that arise in real world research on criminal justice topics at an advanced level;
  2. think critically about data and the methodologies used to collate and analyse data;
  3. source data and interpret information appropriately;
  4. design an evaluation methodology; and
  5. communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

There are no prescribed texts for this course. Set readings will be provided via Wattle. If students wish to access a book to aid study, recommended texts include:

·        Davies, P. & Francis, P. (2018). Doing criminological research, 1st ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

·        Maxfield, M., and Babbie, E. (2008) Research methods for criminal justice and criminology, 5th ed. ed. Wadsworth Pub. Co, Belmont, CA.

·        Maxfield, M., and Babbie, E. (2011) Research methods for criminal justice and criminology, 6th ed. ed. Wadsworth Pub. Co, Belmont, CA.

Staff Feedback

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

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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 Course Introduction: Why do we need criminological research?
2 Criminological research ethics: Key principles
3 Criminological research ethics: Practical issues
4 Common measures in criminological research (I)
5 Common measures in criminological research (II)
6 Mid-term quiz Mid-term quiz
7 Common analytic methods in criminological research
8 Evaluation of justice and crime prevention interventions Presentation
9 Economic analyses and its application in criminological research Presentation
10 Practical concerns and challenges in criminological research – Sampling Presentation
11 Practical concerns and challenges in criminological research – Analysis Presentation
12 Advancement and the future of criminological research + Summary Presentation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Learning Outcomes
Mid-term quiz 10 % 03/09/2021 1; 2; 3
Research proposal and ethics application 15 % 03/09/2021 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Research proposal and ethics presentation 15 % * 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Research report 30 % 29/10/2021 1, 2, 3, 5
Peer review 5 % 05/11/2021 1,2,3,4,5
Online exam 25 % * 1,2,3,4

* 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:

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 Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 03/09/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1; 2; 3

Mid-term quiz

The assessment involves 15 multiple choice questions.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 03/09/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Research proposal and ethics application

You will be asked to: (i) form a group of 4 or 5; (ii) choose a topic at the beginning of the semester; and (iii) work with your colleagues on the proposal and ethics application.

This assessment item will provide a foundation for the actual research and data collection which occurs during the second half of the semester. The overall goal of the assessment is to examine your skills in developing research ideas and a feasible and ethical research plan to explore relevant questions in social policy and criminology.

This assessment is a group-work activity. Your assessment will be based on your group performance in the application. All groups will be advised on necessary changes and issues that require addressing before data collection and analysis.

More information relating to the requirement of this assessment will be provided in Week 2. 

Assessment Task 3

Value: 15 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Research proposal and ethics presentation

The presentation should be based on the commented Assessment Item 2. This assessment is a group-work activity. Each group will be self-allocated to present from Week 8 onwards during the tutorial.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 29/10/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Research report

You will be asked to collect and analysis data according to your chosen topic (in Assessment Item 2). The research results should be discussed and presented as an academic journal article. The report should include the following components: Background (introduction and context), Method, Results, and Discussion.

This assessment is a group-work activity. Each group should submit only 1 copy of the report via Turnitin.

The report will be assessed by professional examiners (contributing to 25% of your grade) and peer reviewers (contributing to 5% of your grade).

Assessment Task 5

Value: 5 %
Due Date: 05/11/2021
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Peer review

This is an individual work. Each student will be given an opportunity to review a research report (Assessment Item 4) submitted by another group. The review will contribute to the 5% of the overall grade of the report. Each piece of review will also be assessed and provided to the student researchers (authors of the assessed report) for learning purposes.

The quality of your review will be examined by the convenor which count towards 5% of your overall grade. 

Assessment Task 6

Value: 25 %
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4

Online exam

The assessment involves 40 multiple choice questions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.


The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
  • Late submission permitted. 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.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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).

Gabriel T.W. Wong
u1005851@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Gabriel T.W. Wong

By Appointment
Gabriel T.W. Wong
gabriel.wong@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Gabriel T.W. Wong

By Appointment

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions