Course Objectives
To understand the basics of the social research process and acquire skills necessary to conduct independent research in criminology and criminal justice. This course covers research design, literature review, sampling, data collection tools, qualitative/quantitative analysis, SPSS laboratory work, research proposal writing, and ethical considerations.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding:
- CLO1: Understand science, scientific method and research process in criminology and criminal justice (CCJ).
- CLO2: Review literature and use it for problem identification and referencing in CCJ research.
- CLO3: Identify and formulate research problems, titles, objectives, and hypotheses.
- CLO4: Select research approaches (qualitative, quantitative, mixed) and experimental/quasi-experimental designs.
- CLO5: Draw representative samples using appropriate probability and non-probability sampling methods.
- CLO6: Skill in data collection methods, construction of questionnaires, guidelines, and checklists.
- CLO7: Skill in analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.
- CLO8: Enter and analyze data into SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics.
- CLO9: Write research reports and present research findings using formal methods.
- CLO10: Understand the importance of ethics in research and protections afforded to human subjects.
- CLO11: Prepare a comprehensive research proposal.
Syllabus & Lecture Details
| Lecture | Topics / Contents | CLOs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scientific Inquiry in CCJ: Science, scientific method, theory & research, types of research, and the research process steps. | CLO1 |
| 2 | Elements of CCJ Research: Facts, relations, concepts, variables, hypotheses, measurements, and definitions. | CLO1 |
| 3 | Literature Review & Referencing: Purpose, steps, referencing importance and styles (APA, etc.). | CLO2 |
| 4 | Identification & Formulation of Research Problem: Title, rationale, objectives, questions, hypotheses, and theoretical/conceptual frameworks. | CLO3 |
| 5 | Research Approach and Design: Methodology and methods. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed approaches. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs. | CLO4 |
| 6 | Sampling: Probability and non-probability sampling methods, sample size considerations. | CLO5 |
| 7 | Methods of Data Collection: Concept of data. Questioning (interviews, self-completion), observation checklists, qualitative methods (case study, ethnography, in-depth interviews, content analysis, FGD), and secondary data. | CLO6 |
| 8 | Assignment-1: Presentation on selected contemporary research report (Group Exercise). | - |
| 9 | Data Analysis: Qualitative analysis principles. Quantitative data organization, tabular presentation (univariate, bivariate, multivariate), and visualization (charts, graphs). | CLO7 |
| 10 | Use of Statistics in CCJ: Descriptive & inferential statistics, central tendency, dispersion, correlation, regression, test of hypotheses, parametric vs non-parametric tests, and errors. | CLO7 |
| 11 | Introduction to SPSS: Data entry, cleaning, variable definitions, and common commands. | CLO8 |
| 12 | Mid-semester Examination | - |
| 13 | Presentation of Research Findings: Formal reports, PowerPoint presentations, summary reports, and guidelines. | CLO9 |
| 14 | Ethics in CCJ Research: Protecting participants, honesty, informed consent, deception avoidance, and the Ethical Review Board (ERB). | CLO10 |
| 15 | Writing Research Proposal: Definition, purpose, components, and organization. | CLO11 |
| 16 | Assignment-2: Writing research proposal, presentation, and submission (Individual Proposal). | CLO11 |
Quick Course Data
Credit points
4 Credits
Course Type
Compulsory
Guided Self-Study
22 Hours
Assessment & Evaluation
Class Attendance & Participation5%
Writing Assignments10%
Mid-Term Exam15%
Presentation10%
Final Exam60%
Recommended Readings
- Alan Bryman (2016) - Social Research Methods, 5th Edition, Oxford University Press
- M. Alauddin (2022) - Social Research: Methods of Seeking Scientific Knowledge, Law Tips
- John W. Creswell (2009) - Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, SAGE
- Chava Frankfort-Nachmias, David Nachmias & Jack DeWaard (2014) - Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Worth Publishers
- Earl R. Babbie (2021) - Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Cengage
- Jack Fitzgerald & Jerry Fitzgerald (2014) - Statistics for Criminal Justice and Criminology, SAGE
- Frank E. Hagan (2014) - Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Pearson
- Raymond Paternoster & Ronet D. Bachman (2017) - Essentials of Statistics for Criminology and Criminal Justice, SAGE