School of Applied Human Sciences

Pietermaritzburg Campus and Howard College

Research Methodology: Criminology

CFSD 301

2023

Module Coordinator:
Prof J H Buitendach

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MODULE DETAILS
Module Title: Research Methodology: Criminology
Module Code: CFSD 301
Credit Value: 16 Credits

Timetable: Pietermaritzburg Campus

Day Period/s Venue

Monday 14h10 – 16h05 Zoom

Thursday 08h40 – 10h35 Zoom

Timetable: Howard College

Day Period/s Venue

Tuesday 12:20-13:15 In Person Room CC1

Wednesday 14:10-15:05 In Person MTB-L3
Thursday 08h40-10h35 Zoom
STAFF ON THE MODULE

Module Coordinator: Prof J H Buitendach

Email: buitendach@ukaz.ac.za
Consultation Via Zoom: Thursday 10:12:00

Contributing Lecturers: None

Module Administrator: Ms Loveness Ndlovu (PMB Campus)

Email: NdlovuL@ukzn.ac.za

Module Administrator: Ms Nelisiwe Mtselu (Howard College)

Email: Mtselun@ukzn.ac.za

The Administration Office will be your first point of contact for most of your queries. If they cannot help
you, they will refer you to your tutor. All of these role players will have consultation times posted on their
office doors (or made available through the administration office) to ensure you are able to contact them
and resolve any problems.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Staff in the School of Applied Human Sciences encourage you (as students) to work together with us to
encourage and develop a high-quality learning experience for yourselves and your peers.

The following principles underpin our approach to student engagement:

• you are partners in your educational experience;
• you all have the right and the opportunity for your voice to be heard in the delivery of your
education;

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 • your voice is valued;
• you are assured that your feedback is provided without detriment to your academic progress;
• we will facilitate opportunities for formal and informal student engagement;
• student engagement processes take account of the differing needs of a diverse student body;
• we will provide feedback to you on the outcomes and actions taken in response to your feedback

Module Representative

The Module Representative is a student elected in terms of the Student Representative Council
Constitution (approved 18 June 2018) to represent the interests of students registered for a specific
module. Section 20 of the SRC Constitution (2018) provides the terms of Module Representatives as
follows:
• Each module shall elect a Module Representative.
• The Module Representative shall represent and promote the interests of all students in academic
and related matters in the module.
• The Module Representative shall advocate for the most ideal teaching and learning environment
in the module.
• The Module Representative shall liaise with and bring to the attention of the academic member
of staff concerned all issues affecting students in the module.
• The nomination and election of Module Representatives shall be finalised no later than seven (7)
days of the commencement of lectures.
• The Student Governance and Leadership Development Office and the school administrative staff
shall facilitate the processes and elections of Module Representatives.
• The Module Representatives in every School will constitute the School Students Committee
(SSC).

CFSD 301 Module Representatives

M Zulu 220215165
1
2 U Mjoni 221029205

Staff-Student Liaison Committees

CFSD operates a Staff/Student Liaison Committee, which is chaired by the discipline’s representative on
the School Teaching and Learning Committee. There are usually four meetings a year, two per semester.
All Module Representatives should attend these meetings.

These Staff/Student Liaison Committees serve as an informal arena for you to raise matters of concern
with the academic and administrative staff and for staff to share with you any general matters pertaining
to the module. The Staff/Student Liaison Committees report to the CFSD Staff Meetings,

QPA Module Evaluations

CFSD recognises that a fair and transparent system of evaluation is essential to maintain the quality of
teaching and learning. Student feedback questionnaires are a way for you to provide us (lecturers) with
anonymous feedback on the teaching quality of the module.

Student feedback will be gathered towards the end of the module using the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s
Quality Promotion and Assurance [QPA] Student Feedback Questionnaire. This is administered online

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via the Learn site.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Student Support Services office offers a range of free, professional and confidential psychological
services (personal and career counselling) by a team of HPCSA registered psychologists. Services also
include a range of group life skills workshops.

The Student Support Services office also has a Career Development Office (CDO), which offers career
related services such as company networking, career exhibitions, employment and bursary opportunities,
and workshops to develop your CV writing, job-hunting and interview skills.

Our contact details and locations are:

• Howard College: Vinotha Moodley – 031 260 2668 – moodleyv28@ukzn.ac.za Brown house
right next to Gate 1 (in between Francis Stock and the CCA)

• Pietermaritzburg: Mike Murray – 033 260 5233 – murray@ukzn.ac.za

House 6, Milner Road (next to Clinic)

• Career Development Office: Edista Ngubane – 031 260 1429 – ngubanee@ukzn.ac.za Level 4,
Dennis Shepstone Building, Howard College Campus (but visits all campuses)

MODULE DESCRIPTION AND AIMS

The primary objective of the module is to provide students majoring in Criminology and Forensic Studies
with a basic conceptual understanding of criminological research methods in preparation for the
application thereof on the postgraduate level.

This module is constituted of:

❑ The three (3) paradigms of research in Criminology and Forensic Studies and their respective
interrelated ontology, epistemological and methodological assumptions.
❑ The stages of criminological research.
❑ The steps and structure of the research proposal.
❑ Descriptive and inferential statistics
❑ The normal distribution
❑ Hypothesis –testing
❑ T-test
❑ One-way analysis of variance
❑ Latent and manifest variables and factor analysis
❑ The correlation coefficient
❑ Testing the significance of relationship using r, the straight-line equation
❑ Regression analysis and testing the significance of Beta.

MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, learners will be able to:

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 ❑ Articulate and distinguish the divergence of scientific research and non-scientific research.
❑ Identify, describe and differentiate between the three (3) research paradigms in Criminology
with locus to ontology, epistemology and methodology.
❑ Recognise, explain and differentiate between the three approaches of research in Criminology.
❑ Discern and express the core interrelated stages of research in Criminology.
❑ Elucidate what a research proposal is.
❑ Clarify the steps in the Criminology research proposal.
❑ Explain the difference between fundamental descriptive and inferential statistics.
❑ Appropriately interpret raw criminology research data using basic parametric and non-
parametric data analytical techniques.

MODULE ASSESSMENT
Continuous Assessment

Assessment for the course will compromise of two (2) Summative Assessments and (1) Formative
Assessment

Summative Assessments: Deadlines and Dates

❑ Assessment 01 ❑ 22 April 2023

❑ Assessment 02 ❑ 19 May 2023

NB- Make-up Test will be written on 12 June 2023

Formative Assessment: Deadlines and Dates

❑ Class Task ❑ 28 March 2023

Names of Examiners, Independent Moderators and External Examiners

• Examiner: Prof J H Buitendach

• Independent Moderator: Mr. Nkosingiphile Mbhele
• External Examiner: Dr. Dumisani Mabunda

Applications for Make-Up Tests

Applications for make-up tests should only be submitted by students who have valid reasons for missing
the original test. Students do not have the option of choosing whether to write the original or the make-
up test and are not allowed to write make-up tests to better their mark on the original test. There will only
be 1 (one) make-up test for each test on a module.
Applications must be lodged in the School Teaching & Learning Office within 5 working days of the
original test date. The application form is available on Moodle. The decision of the Module Coordinator is
final, and no correspondence with the students concerned shall be entered into.
Valid reasons include:

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 • Medical Grounds
Where an application is made on such grounds, applications must be submitted with
supporting documentation from a medical practitioner, which must confirm the applicant either
sought medical treatment or was unable to write the test due to medical reasons on the day
of the test.

• Compassionate Grounds
Where an application is made on such grounds, applications must be submitted with
supporting documentation (e.g. a copy of a death certificate).

• Religious Reasons
Where an application is made on such grounds, the date of the original test must be on the
Religious Day.

• Extra-Curricular University of KwaZulu-Natal Obligations

Where an application is made on such grounds, a letter confirming your obligation must be
provided by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (e.g. a letter confirming that you were playing
sport for UKZN on the day of the test).

• Timetable Clashes
Where an application is made on such grounds, the relevant Discipline must confirm that their
test was on the same day and at the same time as the original test. This does not apply if the
student has more than one test on the same day, but they are at different times.

Assessment 01
The assignment is a self-study exercise which requires you to critically reflect on your understanding of
the content of the module. You may access academic books and journals available electronically or in
the library to do it. Please refrain from using sites such as Wikipedia, rather go to the University website
(Library) and access Criminology e-journals.

Due Date: 22 April 2023

Time: 23h59

Total Marks: 100

ASSESSMENT 01 QUESTION:

Students are required to write a research proposal for a research project focusing on a selected topic in
Criminology and Forensic Studies. [ Students are expected to demonstrate step-by-step how to plan
and document a research project from a qualitative approach].

Assessment criteria

▪ Student are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the qualitative research methodology;
▪ skill in drawing up a structured and detailed research plan for a chosen research topic.
▪ Formulate a well-structured, well-integrated and logical problem formulation.

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 ▪ Demonstrate their ability to identify an appropriate unit of analysis (ie who they want to
interview and about what and obtain a suitable sample by using appropriate qualitative
sampling techniques.
▪ A detailed description of the research process that they are planning to conduct.

NB: Please note that a detailed proposal structure will be uploaded on Learn site in due time.

INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS

Overview and guidelines

• You are required to complete a research proposal which will count 30% towards your final mark.
• Your research proposal must be loaded on the Learn site by the latest 23h59 on Thursday 22
April 2023

Layout:
• Type your research proposal in 12-point font, Times New Roman font; 1.5-line spacing.
• Your research proposal should be eight pages (excluding the cover page and reference list
page).

Readings:
• You may search for and reference two-four credible (i.e., peer-reviewed) sources for your
essay. Information from general websites (e.g., Wikipedia) is usually not regarded as credible.

Criminology Research Proposal (CFSD301) Marking Guide

Structure Guidelines Mark Structure Student Comments

Mark

Presentation Overall neatness and pride 5 marks

reflected in your submission

Include ASSIGNMENT &

PROTOCOL REQUIREMENTS
stapled to the inside cover, facing
table of contents.

Table of contents Numbering of sections 5 marks

Page number column

Page numbers in relation to body

and headings of/in text

In-text reference Harvard Method consistently 10 marks

and correctly used throughout.

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 Using as many sources as
necessary to substantiate your
arguments.

Using a good mix of books,

journals, web-based sources,
official docs (Acts, etc.),
interviews, and other relevant
material.

Topic / title of the study A short and clear title that captures 5 marks
the content of the research.
[14 words]

Introduction An introduction to the research 10 marks

issue. Must demonstrate the
gap(s) in the literature that [ 1page]
warranted the study and the value
of conducting the study.

Literature Review This section presents what is 10 Marks

known about the problem from
theoretical discussions and prior
research. A critical engagement
with literature is required.
[2 pages ]

Research problem, objectives A clear and explicit problem 15 marks

& research questions statement followed by specific
objectives and research questions.

Methodology
This includes the type and
Research approach justification of: design, approach, 25 marks
sampling technique(s), data
Research design collection procedure(s) a method
of data analysis.
[2 pages]
Population (sampling)

Method of data collection

Method of data analysis A clear description of how the data

will be analysed including a
description and justification of the
analytical technique employed.

Ethical considerations Explain the ethical considerations, 5 marks

you will adhere to during this
research project. [1 page]
Correct format, consistency 5 marks
List of sources

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 Alphabetical

List only sources actually used

Choose sources that are relevant

to your research topic

Good “mix” of sources (books,

journals web-based material
documents, interviews, etc.)
As many as possible – but
relevant.

Late Submission Penalty

The School of Applied Human Sciences has implemented a penalty for late submission of assignment.
5% will be deducted per day (inclusive of weekends) for a maximum of 5 days, after which any assignment
submitted late will not be accepted. Extensions can be given by the Module Coordinator in advance of
the deadline, providing that supporting evidence is provided.

Coversheet
All assignment must be submitted together with a signed School of Applied Human Sciences coversheet.
Assignments will not be accepted without a signed coversheet. Coversheets are available on Moodle for
you to print out and sign.

Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

You are advised to consult the UKZN Plagiarism Policies and Procedures document, as well as the
Student Rules for this academic year. Both have been uploaded onto the Moodle site for this module.

According to the UKZN Plagiarism Policies and Procedures, it is your responsibility to:
• Read, understand and comply with the University plagiarism policy and procedures;
• Familiarize yourself with the concept of plagiarism and observe the conventions of referencing
and academic writing made available through teaching and research processes;
• Learn and acquire the academic literacy required to prevent and avoid plagiarism;
• Request assistance from staff for any concerns about plagiarism in your own writing;
• Ensure that you do not submit work that can be considered plagiarised;
• Attach the required signed declaration to each piece of work that is submitted for assessment
purposes;
• Ensure that ideas generated in group discussions are expressed in your own words;
• Utilize plagiarism identification software programmes prior to submitting your work for
assessment; and
• Note that the utilisation of plagiarism software is compulsory for postgraduate students prior to
submission of their research projects/dissertation/thesis for examination.

The assignment coversheet includes the following declaration that you need to sign:
• I know that plagiarism is wrong and that the University of KwaZulu-Natal considers plagiarism a
form of Academic Misconduct (Rule 9.28 of the Rules for Students Handbook).
• I understand what plagiarism is and I am aware of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Plagiarism
Policy and Procedures (Ref: CO/05/0412/09).
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 • I have used a recognised convention for referencing in this work (e.g. Harvard or APA), as
stipulated by the Module Coordinator and/or Discipline.
• I declare that this submission is my own original work. Where another person’s work has been
used (either from a printed source, Internet or any other source), this has been specifically
acknowledged and referenced.
• I have checked this work to ensure that there are no instances of plagiarism contained within.
• I understand that disciplinary action may be taken against me if there is a belief that I used
someone else’s work without their permission and/or did not acknowledge the original source in
my work.

Turnitin
Students are required to submit their work to Turnitin prior to the deadline, and to include a copy of their
Originality Report when submitting their work to the Postgraduate Office. No assignment will be accepted
or marked with an originality score of over 15%.

MODULE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Week 1
Session 1: What is Criminological research?

❑ Two realities (Experiential and agreement reality)

❑ The role of Science
❑ Personal human inquiry
❑ Errors in personal human inquiry
❑ Purposes of research

Session 2: Research Paradigms

❑ Three paradigms of research (Ontology, epistemology and methodology)

❑ Positivistic research
❑ Interpretive research
❑ Constructionist research

Week 2
Session 3: Introduction to the research process

❑ Identifying a research topic

❑ Identifying research topics in criminology
❑ Feasibility
❑ Social importance
❑ Scientific relevance

Session 4: Research Proposal

❑ The steps in the research proposal

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 ❑ The structure of the proposal

Week 4
Session 5: Research designs

❑ Idiographic and nomothetic explanations

❑ Inductive and deductive reasoning
❑ Quantitative and qualitative
❑ Basic and applied research

Session 6: Sampling

❑ Probability sampling
❑ Non-probability sampling

Week 5
Session 7: Methods in qualitative research

❑ Narrative research
❑ Phenomenological research
❑ Grounded theory research
❑ Ethnographic research
❑ Case study research
❑ Historical studies
❑ Reflexive research

Week 6:

Session 8: Positivism

❑ Research hypothesis
❑ Variables
❑ Quantitative measurement
❑ Steps of quantitative measurement
❑ Research designs

Week 7 and 8: Statistics)

❑ Descriptive statistics
❑ Normal distribution logic of hypothesis testing
❑ Logic of hypothesis testing

The librarian for Criminology and Forensic Studies:

Students need to utilise library website to conduct independent searches. The University libraries have
an extensive set of resources to assist Criminology students, including databases and websites. To view

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the library website, go to: http://library.ukzn.ac.za . The Criminology Subject librarian is Mrs Claudette
Kercival (Kercival@ukzn.ac.za / [031] 260-2063) on the Howard College Campus, Dr Rosemary Kuhn
(Kuhn@ukzn.ac.za / [033] 260-5904) on the Pietermaritzburg Campus. It would also be beneficial to
consult the 2016 cohort of second year students that successfully completed the module.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Creswell, J.W., Ebersöhn I;, Eloff, I; Ferreria, R., Ivankova, N.V., Jansen, J.D., Niewwnhuis, J., Pieterosn,
J., Plano Clark, V.L. First steps in research. 3rd edition. Pretoria:Van Schaik
De Vos, A. S., Strydom, H., Fouché, C. B. & Delport, C. S. L. Research at grass roots for the social
sciences and human service professions. 4th edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
Maxfield, M.G. & Babbie, E.R. 2016. Basics of research methods for criminal justice & criminology. (4th
Edition). United States of America: CENGAGE Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-305-26110-5).
Steyn, J. 2013. Assignment Writing. Pretoria: Van Schaik. (ISBN: 978-1-305-26110-5).

ADDITIONAL READING MATERIAL

Babbie, E. 2010. The practice of social research. 5th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Babbie, E., & Mouton. 2001. The practice of social research. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
Bachman, R., & Schutt, R. K. 2011. The practice of research in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
California: Sage.
Bickman, L., & Rog, D. J. 1998. Handbook of applied social research methods. California: Sage.
Blanche, M. T., Durrheim, K., & Painter, D.2006. Research in practice. 2nd edition. Cape Town: University
Press.
Bless, C. & Higson-Smith, C. 2000. Fundamentals of social research methods. Cape Town. Juta.
Boeije, H. 2010.The analysis in qualitative research. London: Sage.
Braun, V. & Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology,
3 (2), pp.77-101.
Cooper, J.A., Collins, P.A. & Walsh, A. 2015. Understanding and Using Statistics for Criminology and
Criminal Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (ISBN: 978-0-199-36446-6).
Cowburn, M., Gelsthorpe, L. & Wahidin, A. (Eds.). 2017. Research ethics in criminology: dilemmas,
issues and solutions. Oxford: Routledge. (ISBN: 978-1-315-75355-3).
de Vries, I.D. & Steyn, J. 2010. Is the status of professionalism appropriate to police scientists and
practitioners in the South African context? A scientific perspective from a house divided. Geneva Centre
for The Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Working Paper No 20, pp.1-22.

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Gadd, D., Karstedt, S. & Messner, S. 2012. The SAGE handbook of criminological research methods.
Los Angeles: SAGE. (ISBN: 978-1-849-20175-9). Page | 13
Goodman, M. 2016. Future crimes. London: Corgi Books. (ISBN: 978-0-552-17080-2).
KUHN, T. S. 1970. The structure of scientific revolutions. (2nd edition). London: University of Chicago
Press. (ISBN: 0-226-45804-0).
Loeber, R. & Welsh, B.C. 2012. The future of criminology. New York: Oxford University Press. (ISBN:
978-0-199-91793-8).
Pratt, T.C. 2012. Advancing Quantitative Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice. London:
Routledge. (ISBN: 978-0-415-78310-1).
Pratt, T.C. 2012. Advancing Qualitative Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice. London: Routledge.
(ISBN: 978-0-415-78311-8).
Stewart, D.W. & Kamins, M.A. 1999. Secondary research: information sources and methods. Los
Angeles: SAGE. (ISBN: 978-0-803-95037-5).
Weisburd, D. & Britt, C. 2014. Statistics in Criminal Justice. Berlin: Springer. (ISBN: 978-1-4614-9169-9).

NB: please pay attention to the learning Website as all class communications regarding lecture
recordings, notes and the test will be done through this channel.

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