Postgraduate Module Descriptor

SOCM031: Evidence-Based Policing

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to provide you with introductory knowledge of evidence-based policing. It aims to teach you how to use police data to create research projects and answer relevant questions for the police.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of evidence-based policing; 2. Critically assess the application of research in practice; 3. Show a comprehensive ability to apply research methods and data analysis skills to answer research questions;
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Independently conduct analysis of quantitative data; 5. Demonstrate a critical and in-depth understanding of policing research and the implications for relevant policy; 6. Critically and systematically assess strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research designs in social sciences;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Present an argument orally in a clear, organized and effective manner; 8. Effectively communicate results of research in written form to the deadline; 9. Work in a group within a limited time frame to complete a specified task.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes over one or more weeks:

Evidence-Based Policing –the history of evidence-based practice and the evolution of EBP from medicine

Implementing EBP –complications with implementation and organizational change

EBP in specific policing topics –look at how research has informed practice in specific areas (e.g. hotspot policing)

Use of Police Data –how do the police collect data, how can data be used for research purposes

Developing EBP research questions –how do you make question into a research question

Group projects using police data –students will be put in groups to create research questions and analyze police data to create research projects

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	22	11 x 2-hour seminars (lecturers explanations, student participation and discussion)
Guided Independent Study	24	Reading assignments and preparing for the seminars
Guided Independent Study	30	Preparing seminar presentation
Guided independent study	20	Additional reading/research
Guided independent study	54	Preparation for and completion of essay

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).