The goal of this course is to help students think about how key debates within criminological theory and research can help inform their thesis. We review some of the major approaches to the study of crime and justice, and students will attain a comprehensive grasp of the main philosophical, historical and methodological debates within the discipline. A key element of the course will involve considering the epistemologies that underpin knowledge creation using different methodologies.  This course is designed to help students develop their research question and methodology for their honours thesis, and complements work undertaken independently by students with the help of their thesis supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. identify and synthesise relevant theoretical and empirical literature in a chosen area of research;
2. examine and critique the key methodological issues in criminological research;
3. develop an informed argument about methodological approaches in criminological research; and
4. communicate arguments about theory and research to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

Professor Bartels will draw on her own experience conducting criminological research across a range of different contexts, to highlight some of the issues and debates in criminological research and theory. The course will also involve examples and guest lectures from other active researchers, who will talk about their approach to methodology and theory.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

Students will be asked to prepare a poster that visualises their research question for the mini conference. The supplies for this may incur some small costs (poster, paper, paint or other materials).

Examination Material or equipment

Any further materials will be provided by the convenor.

Required Resources

Crotty, M (1998). The Foundations of Social Research. Routledge.

Goffman, A. (2014). On the Run: Fugitive Life in an American City. University of Chicago Press. 

Both of these are available in the library or can be bought relatively cheaply.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

The following texts are also recommended:

• Becker, H. (1998). Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You're Doing It. University of Chicago Press.
• Becker, H. (2007) Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article. 2nd ed. University of Chicago Press.
• Booth, W. et al. (2016). The Craft of Research. 4th ed. University of Chicago Press.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Welcome; Theory and method in criminology
2	Positivism and quantitative methodologies	Guest lecture
3	Constructivism and interpretivism
4	Ethics and ethnography	Guest lecture; Methodology reflection (10%) due
5	Critical and feminist theory and methodologies	Guest lecture
6	Analysis of text and content analysis
7	Applied policy research	Guest lecture
8	Mixed-methods research	Guest lecture
9	Sampling and evidence
10	Authenticity in your research and writing
11	Mini-conference	Students will be required to make a visual/oral presentation of their research (30%).
12	Putting together a thesis; Careers in criminology	Students will be required to submit their research proposal (50%).

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	*	1,2,3,4
Methodology reflection	10 %	15/03/2022	2,3
Visual/oral presentation	30 %	17/05/2022	1,2,3,4
Research proposal	50 %	03/06/2022	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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.

Participation

See Assessment Task 1. Participation will be judged by the convenor, in terms of the quality of student contribution to seminars.

Examination(s)

The research proposal (Assessment Task 4) will be due during the examination period, and will take the place of an examination.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Students will attend class, prepared to discuss the readings and participate in class discussion. They will also take part in student workshops, where their developing research projects will be presented informally and discussed by the group.

Assessment Task 2

Methodology reflection

Students will write a 700-word reflection on their chosen methodological approach and methodology for their Honours thesis. Proposals will be submitted via Turnitin. More information, including the rubric will be provided during class and on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Visual/oral presentation

Students will prepare a visual representation of their proposed research, to present at an Honours mini-conference. They will make a brief (10-minute) presentation of their poster and engage in a discussion. Supervisors and members of the Criminology staff will be invited to attend the mini-conference. More information, including the rubric, will be provided during class and on Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Research proposal

Students will write a 4000-word research proposal for their proposed thesis, that will include an in-depth discussion of relevant theory/ies, literature, and proposed methodology. Proposals will be submitted via Turnitin. More information, including the rubric, will be provided during class and on Wattle. The research proposal can be adapted to contribute to portions of the student's Honours thesis. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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.

(This applies to participation and the visual/oral presentation).

• 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.

(This applies to the reflection and research proposal).

As per the policy for late submission of assessment approved by the ANU Academic Board on 12 December 2014, assessment items submitted without an approved extension will attract a penalty of five (5) percent of the possible marks available for that assessment per working day or part thereof. All extension applications must be made in writing through the Assessment Extension Form, and in accordance with ANU policy (see here for extension guidelines).

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Feedback and marks will be given to students via Turnitin and Gradebook on Wattle.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Only in rare circumstances, and in consultation with the course convenor, will students be allowed to resubmit assignments.

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 Access 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