Download PDF

Course Outline

CRM402 Research Dissertation B

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

2025Semester 2

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 part of the research dissertation process you will collect and analyse the research data on which your dissertation is based. You will subsequently prepare and submit your research dissertation in a scholarly form which complies with the conventions of your selected journal. Your research dissertation is the culmination of training in utilising advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills acquired throughout the program.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Independent Study/Research – There are no formal weekly class contact hours for this course. You, the student (hereafter you), meet weekly or fortnightly with your dissertation supervisor as per the schedule of meetings agreed on by the supervisor in consultation with you. The total weekly workload associated with this course is approximately 20 hours per week, including meetings with your supervisor and the preparation and submission of the dissertation. 20hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Research Dissertation

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 and technical knowledge related to a chosen core area of Criminology Justice 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 research methods, data analysis, and 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

CRM401 and enrolled in Program AR409

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

You will receive feedback on the progress of your dissertation from your supervisor during the meetings held each week during semester and this feedback will inform the direction and content of your dissertation.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Literature Review (or component) Individual 40% 
5000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Individual 60% 
7000-8000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Literature Review
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to write a critical review of literature pertaining to your specific dissertation topic.
Product: Literature Review (or component)
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Critical review of the literature: This part of the assessment task requires you to critically review and synthesise the literature on your specific research topic and to identify the current knowledge gaps that establishes the importance of the research topic and overall rationale for your project. You should work closely with your supervisor throughout this task.    

Guidelines and resources will be made available on Canvas to assist you with this assessment task.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Advanced theoretical and technical knowledge related to a chosen core area of Criminology Justice
 1
2 
Advanced skills in reviewing, critically analysing and synthesising information
 2
3 
​Autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility for own learning and practice
 6
4 
Clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to contribute to the discipline
 5
Generic Skills: 

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 2:Research article manuscript
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
The goal of this assessment is to write an article manuscript ready for submission to your  chosen journal for publication

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
The 7000-8000 word manuscript should follow standard article components, with specific attention given to the guidelines set by the selected journal.  

The standard article components include:  

Title Page: Providing a title of the research project in full, that name and degrees of the candidate and the month and year when it was submitted.  

Abstract: Approximately 250 words in length, written as a single paragraph. 

Acknowledgements: Any acknowledgement of help given or work carried out by any other person or organisation.  

Manuscript body: Introduction, method, results (including tables and figures), and discussion.  

References 

Appendices (if relevant) referred to within the manuscript  

 
Unless specified by the selected journal, the manuscript should be styled according to according the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Publication Manual (7th ed.).   

You should work closely with your supervisor throughout this task to receive guidance and feedback on this assessment. Marking rubric will be made available on Canvas.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Advanced theoretical and technical knowledge related to a chosen core area of Criminology Justice

                                                
                                                        1
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Advanced skills in reviewing, critically analysing and synthesising information to complete a range of research activities

                                                
                                                        2
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Application of appropriate research methods, data analysis, and project management skills

                                                
                                                        3
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                4
                                                
Conduct of research in compliance with ethical standards, requirements and protocols

                                                
                                                        4
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                5
                                                
Clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to contribute to the discipline

                                                
                                                        5
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                6
                                                
Autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility for own learning and practice

                                                
                                                        6
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            Generic Skills:
                            

                        

                    

                

        

    

    

        

            

                
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

                    
Information regarding prescribed texts or other associated resources will be made available on the Canvas site prior to commencement of study.

            

        

    


    

        

            
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

                Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: Submission penalties

                Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
            

        


        

            

                
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

                
  • In person: 
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au

            

        

    







    

        Download PDF