Students will write a Scoping Review, produced as a result of the systematic searching of electronic databases and other sources of research evidence on the topic that will be researching for their Investigative Research Project. The Scoping Review will give background and context to the issue the student will address, as well as provide a synthesis and critical evaluation of the evidence on the topic. Word count &#61; 3500 words.

Scoping Review

Students will create a Learning Agreement outlining the research questions they will be asking in their Investigative Research Project. This assessment will include the rationale for the thesis, drawing together the learning from the Scoping Review,  and will highlight the research significance of the proposed project (i.e., the originality of the proposed research). This assessment will also start to plan the research project, including how and if stakeholders will be/have been engaged in designing the research and will outline how any challenges to the implementation of the project (e.g., gaining &#39;buy-in&#39; from organisations) will be overcome. Word count &#61; 1000 words.

Learning Agreement

Lectures: These will include a programme of inputs on the following topics which will be supplemented throughout with empirical literature related to the fields of policing and criminal justice. 
<ul><li>The origins and historical development of evidence-based research/practice in policing and criminal justice.</li><li>How to identify an issue/problem to address relevant to practice in policing and criminal justice, including how to include the input of key stakeholders in the identification of these issues/problems.</li><li>Showcase of innovative and effective examples of research-informed practice locally, nationally, and internationally to develop student&#39;s appreciation and awareness of contemporary research evidence (and its generation)</li><li>The principles and practice of conducting literature reviews including scoping review to retrieve research evidence.</li><li>Where and how to access research evidence to inform addressing issues/problems</li><li>How to develop a robust search strategy to access research evidence</li><li>How to assess the quality of research evidence</li><li>How to synthesise and critically evaluate current research evidence on a topic related to policing and criminal justice.</li><li>A basic introduction to research methodology and research ethics</li><li>Guidance in writing literature reviews for research proposals.</li></ul>
 Seminars: Lectures will be supported by a number of seminars delivered by researchers (those situated in academic, practice, and those in academic-practitioner partnerships) who have conducted projects to achieve research evidence within the policing and criminal justice field. These &#39;real-life&#39; examples of how to identify knowledge gaps in research and practice, how to build and develop relationships with partner agencies, how ideas for projects development, overviews of the project itself, and how findings from research can turn into recommendations for practice and policy. 
 Workshops: Lectures will also be supported with workshops dedicated to applying taught material to students’ proposed research projects. Content of these workshops will vary in response to the groups&#39; needs but it is likely that these workshops will involve formative feedback on assessments (e.g., the students&#39; scoping reviews) and individualised discussions on how to define their research question. 
 Online: Students will be required to engage in online engagement per month. This is to supplement and embed learning within the face-to-face delivery as well as to prepare for their taught sessions and extra training required. Examples of online content will be: videos outlining more examples of good quality scoping reviews and literature reviews, scoping review training, podcasts related to where to find evidence and how to assess the quality of evidence, quizzes related to content delivered in lectures and seminars, and participation in online discussions (e.g., via wikis, journal clubs) with the rest of the cohort on material covered (e.g., key scoping reviews) across the module.

Research Planning - 8400DPCJ

Research Planning

Acquire and develop information seeking skills including developing search and discovery skills and techniques, and the knowledge of how to conduct advanced searches using a range of information software, resources, and techniques and how to recognise their advantages and limitations. 

Display a systematic acquisition, understanding, and critical evaluation of a diverse body of knowledge (including international and non-academic) which is at the forefront of policing studies and/or criminal justice or their area of related professional practice. 

Demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of the capacity of evidence to inform practice and policy (e.g., create solutions for issues/problems) in a diverse array of policing and/or criminal justice. 

Conceptualise a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of policing/criminal justice. 

Demonstrate an understanding of the broader context within which the project will take place, at a national and international level. 

Demonstrate awareness of the potential impact of research on society and show engagement with the community and/or relevant stakeholders in the co-design of the research project.

Recognise and describe issues/problems relevant to an area of policing and/or criminal justice, and situate these within an international context.