Module manager: Dr Laura Bainbridge
Email: L.Bainbridge@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| LAW2680 | Researching Law |
LAW2285 Criminological Research Methods
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Research plays a key role in understanding crime and criminal justice. It is one of the fundamental means by which we can learn about the nature and extent of crime, the mechanisms and structures within the justice system, and the effects of policies and interventions. In order to study and respond to crime in an evidence-based way, it is crucial to understand how research is conducted, and how it reflects the reality of the world. This module introduces the main empirical research methods used within criminology and criminal justice. It describes their strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities that they provide to offer insight into various aspects of the social world. In addition, it outlines key considerations when conducting research, including philosophical, ethical and practical issues. Building upon this grounding, it also provides basic practical experience of the real-world application of these research techniques.
The module seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills to conduct their own research on crime-related topics, and to design empirical studies based on sound scientific principles. More fundamentally, it seeks to ensure that students are intelligent consumers of research, such that they are able to critically evaluate research that they may encounter during their studies and ongoing work. The learning activities on the module will enable students to design, and undertake research, and equip students to analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Distinguish the scope and limitations of major qualitative and quantitative research methods in criminology and criminal justice studies;
Critically assess the ethical underpinnings of criminological enquiry.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Distinguish the scope and limitations of major qualitative and quantitative research methods in criminology and criminal justice studies;
Critically assess the ethical underpinnings of criminological enquiry.
Introduction to research methods + Qualitative and quantitative research
Social surveys and questionnaire design
Secondary data
Descriptive statistics and graphs
Inferential statistics
Experiments + ethics
Interviewing and focus groups
Qualitative data analysis
Ethnography + document analysis
Sampling methods
Designing a research study + undertaking a literature review
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 178 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
178
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for each summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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