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Course Outline

CRM401 Research Dissertation A

Course Coordinator:Bricklyn Priebe (bpriebe@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you are required to develop and implement an independent scholarly investigation into a core area of Criminology and Justice. The research question/s under investigation should be innovative, and should have either significant theoretical or applied implications. Under the supervision of an academic supervisor, you will conceptualise your project, develop a research proposal, and undertake initial project tasks necessary to conduct research.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Independent Study/Research – Directed Independent and supervised study 10hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

Specific research project – supported by USC academic supervisor

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge in the core area of Criminology which they have chosen to undertake their dissertation. Knowledgeable
2 Demonstrate advanced skills in reviewing, critically analysing and synthesising information to complete a range of research activities. Creative and critical thinker
3 Apply appropriate project management skills. Empowered
4 Apply appropriate ethical decision-making and conduct research in compliance with ethical standards, requirements and protocols. Ethical
5 Communicate a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to contribute to the discipline. Engaged
6 Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility for own learning and practice. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Must be enrolled in program AR409

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Completion of CRM307 Crime Research Methods or equivalent is recommended

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

You will receive formative feedback on your research proposal in two ways: informally, through supervision sessions with your supervisor, and formally, as written and formal feedback for Task 1 & 2. You will also receive additional feedback on your project from other research supervisors when you present your proposed research project in Task 3.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 
4000 words
 Week 8 To Supervisor
All 2 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Individual 
As per the HREC's requirements
 Week 9 To Supervisor
All 3 Oral Individual 
5-7 minutes
 Week 12 In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Research Proposal
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to formulate a research proposal for your chosen topic. It should include an overview of research topic, outline key theoretical framework/s, state the overall aims and research questions, and propose appropriate research methods, developed in consultation with your supervisor.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Submission of this research proposal is compulsory and is an important component of Task 2, your ethics application. This proposal will include an introduction to the research topic, a critical analysis of current research to highlight current gaps in knowledge, outline the theoretical framework/s underpinning the research and a set out a clear rationale for the proposed research questions, and methodologies, to address these questions. The proposal should also identify and justify and appropriate outlet for a scholarly publication. Resources will be made available on Canvas to assist you with this task.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Apply advanced theoretical and technical knowledge related to your chosen core area of Criminology and Justice.
 1
2 
Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to inform research proposal.
 2 4 6
3 
Clear and coherent presentation and defence of your research ideas through written communication.
 3 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:HREC Ethics Application
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment task is to prepare and submit the ethics application for your thesis research project. You will work with your supervisor to develop and finalise your ethics application to meet the requirements of the relevant University Ethics Committees. This includes projects where an exemption of review is relevant.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Your ethics application should include all materials required for an ethics application at USC, e.g., the research protocol, HREA application form, information and consent forms, data collection instruments, and permissions to survey possible participants. Additional information about these processes are available in Canvas. Delays associated with these procedures are not a justification for an extension of submission of your thesis.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Submission of application via USC’s Human Research Ethics Committee.
 3 4 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Elevator Pitch
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to practice communicating your research proposal in a clear and concise manner
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This is a 5 - 7 minute elevator pitch that communicates the rationale and importance of your research study. This will be presented to your peers and relevant academic staff. It should include:

A clear rationale and statement of the importance of this research for the discipline;

Theoretical framework/s and aims;

Research questions or hypotheses for your research project;

Research design, sample, measures and procedures; and

Proposed analytic strategy

Creativity in presenting this pitch to engage your audience and convey key messages is encouraged
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Synthesise relevant academic, institutional and media sources to situate the importance of this research within the broader literature
 2
2 
Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills.
 2
3 
Clear articulation of theoretical framework/s, research questions or hypotheses; research design, measures and proposed data collection methods.
 1 4
4 
Use of evidence and examples to effectively illustrate arguments
 2
5 
Communicate complex ideas simply and in an engaging format
 5
Generic Skills: 
Collaboration, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 5.1.1.3 and 5.1.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy.

In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the USC. In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.

Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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