- UCAS course code
- LM69
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Short Dissertation
| Unit code | CRIM30620 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Offered by | Criminology |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore and investigate their own research topic. It is an excellent chance to develop your own independent research project, where you can identify, refine, explore in depth, and evaluate what you produce using the knowledge and skills that you have gained over the previous years of study.
Throughout the year, there are a mix of Core and Pathway teaching sessions alongside drop-in sessions and one-to-one meetings with your supervisor. This will ensure that you have dedicated discussions and guidance that are tailored to your research project.
Pre/co-requisites
Only available to students on either the BA Social Science (BASS) Criminology pathways or LLB Law with Criminology
Aims
This course unit aims to: (1) engage students with the theory and practice of criminological research; (2) encourage exploration of the dilemmas and synergies associated with particular research designs and methods appropriate to their area of study; (3) enable students to explore a research question in depth, by means of writing a research proposal.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the research process, including how to formulate researchable questions and select appropriate strategies and methods. (Knowledge and Understanding);
2. Plan and conduct a focused literature search, using appropriate academic tools to identify and evaluate relevant sources.(Practical Skills);
3. Engage with ethical considerations in research, showing awareness of key debates and how they apply to their chosen topic. (Intellectual Skills);
4. Develop a coherent research proposal, outlining aims, rationale, methodology, and ethical considerations.(Intellectual Skills);
5. Communicate research ideas clearly and effectively, using appropriate academic conventions and structure. (Transferrable skills and personal qualities).
The 20-credit dissertation supports students in developing essential digital research and communication skills. Students are introduced to:
• Digital research tools such as academic databases (e.g. Scopus, Westlaw, Google Scholar) to conduct literature reviews and identify research gaps;
• Referencing software (e.g. Zotero, EndNote) to manage sources efficiently;
• Digital submission and feedback platforms (e.g. Blackboard, Turnitin), ensuring students are confident in navigating academic technologies;
• Accessible formats for research proposals and presentations, supporting inclusive digital communication.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning across course units consists of:
(1) preparatory work to be completed prior to teaching sessions, including readings, pre-recorded subject material and online activities;
(2) whole-class 'core’ workshops;
(3) pathway-specific dissertation sessions and drop in sessions; and
(4) one to one supervision with a designated supervisor
Employability skills
- Other
- Other (i) analyse, critique and (re-)formulate a problem or issue; (ii) rapidly and thoroughly review/rate argument and evidence from targeted bibliographic searches; (iii) plan, structure and present arguments in a variety of written formats and to a strict word limit, (iv) express ideas verbally and organise work effectively in small teams for a variety of written and oral tasks; (v) obtain, manipulate and (re-)present different forms of data; (vi) manage time effectively; (vii) reflect on and improve performance through feedback.
Assessment methods
Dissertation proposal: 10%
Dissertation: 90%
Feedback methods
Formative feedback (both individual and collective) will be given on work produced for each supervision meeting.
Detailed summative feedback will be given on the submitted dissertation via proposal.This unit is assessed by a 1000 word dissertation proposal (10%) and a 8000-9000 words dissertation (90%).
Recommended reading
University of Manchester Library My Learning Essentials ''Start to Finish: Dissertations" available at: https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/learning-objects/mle/packages/dissertations/
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 |
| Project supervision | 6 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 70 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Claire Fox | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Across their course units, full-time students are expected to devote a ‘working week’ of around 30-35 hours of studying time.