JSB181 Interrogating Justice Problems
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB181 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | JSB273 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB181 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSB273 |
| Coordinator: | Michael Chataway | michael.chataway@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Justice professionals require the ability to interrogate problems to develop evidence-based solutions for crime prevention and justice. This unit provides a foundation in applied research practice. Upon completion, students will develop skills in various research methodologies including survey construction interview techniques observational methodologies and experimental designs. They will also be equipped with the skills necessary for rigorous academic inquiry and evidence-based decision-making within the justice discipline. This includes developing proficiencies in conducting culturally safe and ethically responsible research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify and explain a range of research designs and methodologies used by different disciplines.
- Apply research methods to address real world problems.
- Evaluate the ethical practice of research, limitations of data and the rationale underlying different methodologies.
- Critically reflect on the importance of Indigenous and diverse perspectives and ways of knowing on the research process.
- Communicate research effectively within academic research formats and to a professional justice audience.
Content
This unit will cover the following:
Writing Research Questions
Formulating Hypotheses
Testing and Applying Theory
The Language of Research Design
Quantitative Research Designs
Qualitative Research Designs
Sampling
Ethically Responsible Research Practice
Evaluative Research
Reflexivity in Research
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- pre-recorded instructional videos
- workshops - face-to-face and online
- peer and group discussions
- readings, media and video resources.
The unit adopts an interactive approach involving the use of a digital workbook with weekly practical activities in which you are encouraged to engage with a diverse mix of research methodologies.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- quizzes with automated feedback
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are three assessments:
Justice Problem Poster - This task connects literature and research skills to build an understanding of the justice problem.
Pitch Your Proposal - This task brings together unit concepts and skills to communicate the design of a research project.
Written Examination - This task assess your understanding of research design and methodology.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Justice Problem Poster
You will create a poster about a justice problem requiring further investigation. The poster will outline the problem to be investigated and how different knowledges/world views (such as Indigenous knowledges) may be used to better understand and make sense of this problem. You will evaluate various sources for understanding this problem, including different databases and Generative AI.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Pitch Your Proposal
You will take on the role of a research assistant at QUT to prepare a research proposal on the problem you explored in Assessments 1. You will deliver a live 10 minute zoom presentation of your proposal to QUT's Centre for Justice seeking their support for your research. Your presentation will be followed by a 5 minute Q&A consisting of two questions about your research design and process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Written Examination
You will complete an invigilated examination during the central examination period. The exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice and two short-answer questions covering all research design and methodology content discussed during the semester. Questions will test your recall of core concepts and the application of research methods to real-world situations.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Required readings will be provided online via QUT Readings.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Pitch Your Proposal - Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO4, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Online
| Unit code: | JSB181 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSB273 |
Overview
Justice professionals require the ability to interrogate problems to develop evidence-based solutions for crime prevention and justice. This unit provides a foundation in applied research practice. Upon completion, students will develop skills in various research methodologies including survey construction interview techniques observational methodologies and experimental designs. They will also be equipped with the skills necessary for rigorous academic inquiry and evidence-based decision-making within the justice discipline. This includes developing proficiencies in conducting culturally safe and ethically responsible research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify and explain a range of research designs and methodologies used by different disciplines.
- Apply research methods to address real world problems.
- Evaluate the ethical practice of research, limitations of data and the rationale underlying different methodologies.
- Critically reflect on the importance of Indigenous and diverse perspectives and ways of knowing on the research process.
- Communicate research effectively within academic research formats and to a professional justice audience.
Content
This unit will cover the following:
Writing Research Questions
Formulating Hypotheses
Testing and Applying Theory
The Language of Research Design
Quantitative Research Designs
Qualitative Research Designs
Sampling
Ethically Responsible Research Practice
Evaluative Research
Reflexivity in Research
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- pre-recorded instructional videos
- workshops - face-to-face and online
- peer and group discussions
- readings, media and video resources.
The unit adopts an interactive approach involving the use of a digital workbook with weekly practical activities in which you are encouraged to engage with a diverse mix of research methodologies.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- quizzes with automated feedback
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit there are three assessments:
Justice Problem Poster - This task connects literature and research skills to build an understanding of the justice problem.
Pitch Your Proposal - This task brings together unit concepts and skills to communicate the design of a research project.
Written Examination - This task assess your understanding of research design and methodology.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Justice Problem Poster
You will create a poster about a justice problem requiring further investigation. The poster will outline the problem to be investigated and how different knowledges/world views (such as Indigenous knowledges) may be used to better understand and make sense of this problem. You will evaluate various sources for understanding this problem, including different databases and Generative AI.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Pitch Your Proposal
You will take on the role of a research assistant at QUT to prepare a research proposal on the problem you explored in Assessments 1. You will deliver a live 10 minute zoom presentation of your proposal to QUT's Centre for Justice seeking their support for your research. Your presentation will be followed by a 5 minute Q&A consisting of two questions about your research design and process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Written Examination
You will complete an invigilated examination during the central examination period. The exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice and two short-answer questions covering all research design and methodology content discussed during the semester. Questions will test your recall of core concepts and the application of research methods to real-world situations.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Required readings will be provided online via QUT Readings.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Pitch Your Proposal - Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO4, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Justice Problem Poster, Pitch Your Proposal