Crime Research and Methods

Unit code: LCR3901 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
City Campus
Online Real Time
Prerequisites
LCR2003 - Criminological Theory; or
ASL2002 - Criminal Justice Systems 2; and
LCR3001 - Contemporary Issues in Criminology
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
Enquire

Overview

This unit develops students’ ability to design and justify empirical criminological research in response to contemporary issues. Students engage with criminological literature, ethical principles, and research methods to investigate real-world problems in collaboration with stakeholders.

Across the unit, students progressively apply these skills through scholarly research, stakeholder engagement, including interviews, and the development of evidence-based research questions, culminating in a team research proposal. As the first part of the capstone sequence, this unit prepares students for the Research Project, in which they will implement and report on the research proposed in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Integrate ethical principles into the design and conduct of criminological research;
  2. Formulate evidence-based research questions about contemporary criminological issues in collaboration with stakeholders; and
  3. Justify appropriate social science research methods to address criminological research questions.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 15%
Individual in-class task: develop a set of interview questions with literature-based rationale. Completed in class under observation (~500 words).
Assessment type: Practicum
|
Grade: 40%
Individual task: observed interview plus structured reflection. Participation is verified through observation, with reflection based on this experience (~1000 words).
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 45%
Team research proposal with shared marks and individual accountability via peer evaluation and teacher verification (~2000 words). 
  1. Test – Interview Question Development
    Each student individually drafts a set of interview questions for a stakeholder interview, each with a brief rationale citing scholarly sources. The assessment will take place in class, under observation during Week 1.
  2. Practical – Interview and Reflection
    Students participate in an interview with a community representative under the educator's observation. An equivalent simulated or structured interview scenario will be used if required, with all formats enabling observation and verification of individual performance.
    Following the interview, each student produces a structured reflection addressing key findings, methodological considerations, ethical issues, and implications for the team proposal. The reflection is based on this verified experience and provides the primary basis for confirming individual achievement. Any completion outside class is limited to refinement and clarification of the drafted response.
  3. Report – Team Research Proposal
    Students develop a research proposal as part of a team, with shared marks and explicit individual accountability. Each team member is required to demonstrate their individual achievement of all unit learning outcomes aligned to this task, verified through structured peer evaluation (e.g. Buddycheck or equivalent with prompts mapped to each ULO) and educator confirmation.

Required reading

Research Methods for Criminal Justice
Dantzker, M (2018)| Jones & Bartlet, USA

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Criminology
LBCR | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology
LHCR | Bachelor honours degree | Duration: 4.5 years
Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminology
LBLC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4.5 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

Search for units, majors & minors