LW2RES: Criminological Research Methods

Module code: LW2RES

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer , email: r.walling-wefelmeyer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 14 July 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to perspectives on social science research and as applied to the study of crime and justice. It will provide students with an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods and to the relationship between methods and theory. It will also offer students an introduction to the planning and undertaking of criminological research as well as how to analyse data.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the range of strategies for research design, ethical guidelines, data collection and analysis in the conduct of social research.
2. Understand the relationship between theory, method and research question.
3. Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods, data and data analysis tools.
4. Understand how to plan a research project.
5. Analyse a dataset.

Module content

In any year, topics may include: Research approaches in Criminology and the study of criminal justice, questionnaire construction, asking questions, conducting ethnographic and observation research, content analysis and archival research, quantitative data collection and analysis, research ethics, researching vulnerable groups, planning research projects.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module uses lectures, workshops and tutorials. Lectures provide overviews of the literature and perspectives on topics. Workshops provide the space to explore the topics in more detail and to focus on the applied aspects of the topic. Seminars provide opportunities for students to test their knowledge about specific readings and their understanding of the topic in smaller groups. Lectures, workshops and seminars will also be used to provide students with input about assessments and requisite research and study skills. 

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.