POL4082 - Research Methods and Academic Skills

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Explain the importance of planning research activities using different methodologies and approaches
Demonstrate skills in the use of resources and primary/secondary literary sources relevant to the degree programme
Demonstrate a structured approach to studying, writing essays, and referencing content
Review and assess literature and case law to develop critical arguments and draw conclusions
Explain statistical tests and the interpretation of data
Research, analyse and evaluate relevant research publications and qualitative and quantitative data Demonstrate proficiency in academic writing and presentation, in accordance with ethical protocols
Demonstrate effective referencing of a wide range of material appropriate to the subject area

Content:

This module will introduce the student to research methods and academic skills for policing. Students will explore the importance of planning research activities, how to review and assess literature and case law to develop critical arguments and draw conclusions. Students will demonstrate autonomy, as well as accountability and working with others, in a study skills context. Students will present research on the identified issue/problem with proposals to tackle it.

This module will introduce the student to research methods and academic skills for policing. They will outline the strengths and weakness of research methodologies and approaches; and demonstrate skills in the use of resources and primary/secondary literary sources relevant to the degree programme. Students will explore the importance of planning research activities, how to review and assess literature and case law to develop critical arguments and draw conclusions. Students will demonstrate autonomy, as well as accountability and working with others, in a study skills context. Students will present research on the identified issue/problem with proposals to tackle it and will reference appropriately using a range of sources.

To address the curriculum for transition, and Theory of Change for new students, the academic skills and research methods have been separated to provide the students with a more in-depth approach to research, whilst academic skills is taught as a stand-alone session. Both have an increased focus on the practical elements of putting research and academic skills into practice inside the teaching blocks, to provide essential scaffolding and transition into the academic level required at degree level.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will take part in a 4-hour session each week, and teaching will be based on the gradual responsibility model (Fischer & Frey, 2021).

Each session will begin with class discussion and debate, based on material given in the previous week, to develop thinking, engagement and participation in ideas and evidence-based opinions.

There will be a ‘main teach’ which is intended as concept construction, followed by practical tasks and activities to consolidate learning, and initiate formative discussion for feedback, addressing misconceptions and learning, where students may be broken down into smaller groups.

Each session will end with a plenary reflection, and a feed forward into the next session.

Formative assessment in the forms of interactive polls, surveys, information padlets and knowledge checks will be utilised in every session to check the levels of understanding and engagement from students. This will add to the formative discussion and feedback from the practical tasks and activities.

Students will be provided with resources and instructions for their self-directed learning, to scaffold them through the module and build knowledge and ideas for their assignments.

In addition, students will have an extra session each week specifically oriented to the development of their academic skills in aspects of writing, presentation and communication for assessment.

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 25-40

Small group teaching
Hours: 10

Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment
Research Proposal: Students will spend time learning and building skills in research, exploring different methodology and the benefits of these in applied research. They will choose an area of policing that they would like to explore in more depth, and complete a research proposal and ethical approval application. This will serve both as benchmark and summative feedback for their future research applications for their level 6 research project.

Literature Review: Students will use relevant research methods to conduct a literature review, demonstrating an understanding of their chosen topic area, their critical discussion and analysis of it which will inform the direction of their personal professional research interests. Students will be given several topic areas to choose from or can negotiate a title with the module lead.

Assessment:

001 Research proposal; 1,000 words; end of semester 1 30%
002 Literature review; 2,000 words; end semester 1 70%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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