Research Project

Unit code:LCR3902Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

City Campus
Online Real Time

Prerequisites

LCR3901 - Crime Research and Methods
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

This unit develops students' ability to conduct empirical criminological research and communicate evidence-based findings to professional audiences. Drawing on prior research design skills, students investigate real-world criminological issues by collecting, analysing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data, working both individually and in collaboration with stakeholders or community organisations, in accordance with VU research and industry-aligned ethics requirements. Students entering from pathways other than LCR3901 are supported by bridging resources and scaffolded activities to fully engage with the empirical research process.

Across the unit, students progressively apply these skills through a team or individual research report documenting their empirical findings and a pitch presenting and defending evidence-based recommendations before an industry and educator panel. This culminating task mirrors authentic professional practice, requiring students to synthesise research evidence and respond to expert questioning in real time.

As the second capstone unit of the Bachelor of Criminology, this unit asks students to demonstrate the capacity to conduct independent empirical inquiry, engage with real-world stakeholders, and communicate findings to professional audiences. For Criminology students, this completes the research cycle begun in LCR3901 Crime Research and Methods by implementing and reporting on the research proposed in that unit. Students entering from other pathways bring their prior learning to an original empirical project, resulting in equivalent outcomes and the same professional standard of evidence-based practice.

Learning Outcomes

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

Investigate criminological research questions using empirical methods, individually and collaboratively with stakeholders, in accordance with ethical requirements;
Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data using methods appropriate to criminological research design; and
Synthesise criminological research findings into evidence-based recommendations for specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test | Grade: 15%

Invigilated case-based quiz: apply research methods and ethics to a real-world scenario. VU Employability Framework integrated. Machine-graded with teaching team review of long-answer questions

Assessment type: Report | Grade: 50%

Team or individual research report. Peer evaluation (ULO-mapped) and educator confirmation.

Assessment type: Practical Demonstration | Grade: 35%

Observed in-class recommendations workshop; team or individual pitch presenting evidence-based recommendation; individual Q&A with panel. Individually assessed. Panopto-recorded.

Test – Case-Based Research Skills Quiz
Students are presented with a scenario drawn from a real-world organisation operating in a community and/or crime context. They must apply their knowledge of research methods and ethics to respond to a series of case-based questions. The assessment is completed individually in class during Week 1 under invigilation, using a university-supported lockdown browser, and runs for one hour. For online real-time students, the quiz is conducted via Microsoft Teams with a university-supported lockdown browser (currently Respondus LockDown Browser) enabled in live-proctoring mode.

Report – Team Research Report
Students produce a team research report presenting their completed empirical project as a professional research document. The report includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, and evaluation. The focus is on the quality of the research process and analysis. Team (2-3 students) submissions are 3,500 words; individual submissions are 2,000 words. Individual contributions are verified through Buddycheck or similar peer evaluation with prompts mapped to ULOs, ensuring each student demonstrates achievement of all aligned learning outcomes. Educator confirmation is based on peer evaluation data and in-class engagement. The use of AI tools is permitted with mandatory disclosure in line with VU's co-intelligence framework.

Practical – Research Recommendations Pitch
Students participate in a structured workshop to refine their A2 research and select their strongest recommendation. Only the A2 report may be used. The workshop is formative, guided by a workbook, and collaboration is encouraged. Students then deliver a short pitch to an industry and educator panel, followed by an individual viva where they justify their recommendation using evidence and respond to questions. Each student's performance is assessed individually.