Unit Synopsis
In this unit, you will explore how research informs decision-making in criminology and related fields. You will explore the importance of strong problem-solving skills, supporting solutions with evidence-based research, and effective data analysis. You will examine both qualitative and quantitative research methods to develop strategies for addressing interdisciplinary criminology problems. In addition, you will build professional practice skills, including writing reports for a public sector audience, managing projects, and collaborating with others in a criminal justice environment. This unit emphasises the requirements of ethical research. While some activities will involve working with peers to explore research processes, all final submissions will be completed individually.
Details
| Level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Unit Level | 1 |
| Credit Points | 6 |
| Student Contribution Band | SCA Band 4 |
| Fraction of Full-Time Student Load | 0.125 |
| Pre-requisites or Co-requisites |
There are no pre-requisites for the unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework). |
| Class Timetable | View Unit Timetable |
| Residential School | No Residential School |
Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2026
Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Assessment Tasks
| Assessment Task | Weighting |
|---|---|
| 1. Research Assignment | 40% |
| 2. Research Proposal | 30% |
| 3. Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books | 30% |
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).
Past Exams
All University policies are available on the Policy web site, however you may wish to directly view the following policies below.
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of policies are available on the Policy web site .
Term 1 - 2025 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 87.50% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 10.39% response rate.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Source: SUTE & student communication
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science expressed that they would prefer to study this unit before Research Methods 1 (psychology) as it provides a good base for that unit.
Speak to HoC for psychology about unit order and planning.
This order has been adjusted in the student planner, meaning CL55 students can now opt to take this unit before Research Methods 1.
Source: SUTE
Students enjoyed the unit's content and pace.
Update the materials and content to remain contemporary, but maintain the structure and weekly pace.
Materials were updated to ensure they remain contemporary and relevant, while maintaining the structure and pace.
Source: SUTE & student communication
Students enjoyed the freedom of discussion in a judgment free environment and understood how this supported their learning.
Maintain plenty of workshop time for discussion and peer to peer interaction.
Much of the workshop is used for discussion to consolidate knowledge and for application of knowledge through peer interaction.
Source: SUTE & student communication
The application of the learning and skills are useful.
Maintain the focus on application of research methods knowledge and skills to the real world to encourage development and employability skills.
The application of research skills, along with practical and theoretical knowledge was maintained.
Source: SUTE
Ensure learning materials remain current to enable development of students' practical skills.
The Unit Coordinator will update and revise materials relating to knowledge and skills to ensure students receive this information in a clear and accessible way, while providing opportunity for application of both skills and knowledge during the workshops.
In Progress
Source: SUTE
Students commented on the Unit Coordinator's accessible delivery and teaching style.
The Unit Coordinator will maintain the teaching style, delivery, and accessibility of content for the unit.
In Progress
Source: SUTE
Students enjoyed the short video introductions each week.
The Unit Coordinator will continue to provide short video introductions to provide a warm welcome to students and set the topic for the week.
In Progress
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Evaluate criminology problems through critical thinking, evaluating evidence and current practice, and developing alternative solutions
- Explain the use of a particular analysis methodology applied to a problem in the justice arena
- Manage a research proposal project including ethical aspects
- Produce structured written reports appropriate for public sector stakeholders
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Research Assignment | • | • | ||
| 2 - Research Proposal | • | • | • | • |
| 3 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books | • | • | ||
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | • | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | • | • | ||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | • | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | • | • | • | |
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | • | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | • | |||
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | |