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Applied Research Methods & Statistics in Crime Analysis FSCT 8431

Forensic Investigation Course

Course details

This course introduces students to the quantitative and qualitative research methods used by crime and intelligence analysts. Topics such as measuring variables, assessing the reliability and validity of acquired intelligence, designing questionnaires, data preparation and coding, sampling and statistical analysis of quantitative data are covered. This course covers the major research and statistical techniques which criminologists,sociologists, and criminal justice researchers use to observe and interpret the social world. Part of this course focuses on issues related to the logic of research and research design and the general procedures for research design. Another part of the course will deal more specifically with a variety of particular techniques for gathering data: surveys; experiments and quasi-experiments; and field and observational methods. This course aims to make students more knowledgeable practitioners, consumers, and evaluators of social science data and research. Students should be able to perform a number of simple, though powerful analyses to describe data and reach conclusions based on these data. The five primary goals of statistics for this class are: (1) summarizing large and small data sets; (2) examining the integrity of large and small data sets; (3) determining which statistics best portrays the data; (4) comparing more than one variable to others; (5) applying statistics to problem solving and data driven decision-making through proper data collection and research design.

Prerequisite(s)

  • Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.

Credits

3.0

Cost

$773.81

Course offerings

Fall 2023

Below is one offering of FSCT 8431 for the Fall 2023 term.

CRN 34451

Duration

Sat Oct 14 - Sat Nov 25 (5 weeks)

  • 5 weeks
  • CRN 34451
  • $773.81
Class meeting times
Dates Days Times Locations
Oct 14 - Nov 25 Sat 08:00 - 17:00 Online
Instructor

Michelle Brander

Course outline

Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.

Cost

$773.81

Important information
  1. Internet delivery format.
  2. Departmental approval needed
  3. Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
  4. This course will be offered ONLINE for the 202330 Fall term and classes will have combo of live/pre-recorded sessions. There will be no class on Oct 28 or Nov 11, (Remembrance Day). Attendance is mandatory and there is no required textbook. For information on Forensic Science programs and courses, please visit: bcit.ca/cas/Forensics . Students who have been accepted into a Forensics program where this course is a part of the matrix may register without any further approvals. Students who are not currently accepted in a Forensics program or, if this course is NOT part of your program matrix, please contact the Program Assistants for departmental approval at BCIT_Forensics@bcit.ca. For information on Forensic programs and courses, please visit: www.bcit.ca/cas/forensics.
Status

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Examine the various research designs and methods available to crime and intelligence analysts.
  • Explain, with examples, the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Explain the role of applied research methods and statistics in tactical crime analysis.
  • Define elements of crime statistics and sources of data available for analysis.
  • Solve case studies in crime analysis using standard research methods and analysis within the scope of the intelligence cycle.
  • Interpret the results of statistical crime research using tools.
  • Create charts and diagrams used within crime and intelligence analysis.
  • Interpret charts and diagrams used within crime and intelligence analysis.
  • Discuss the ethical issues and dilemmas that arise from research methods and data analysis in the area of crime analysis.
  • Present research findings.

Effective as of Spring/Summer 2006

Related Programs

Applied Research Methods & Statistics in Crime Analysis (FSCT 8431) is offered as a part of the following programs:

School of Computing and Academic Studies

  1. Forensic Investigation (Crime and Intelligence Analysis Option)
    Advanced Certificate Part-time
  2. Forensic Investigation (Crime and Intelligence Analysis Option)
    Bachelor of Technology Part-time

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  • Privacy Notice: The information you provide will be used to respond your request for BCIT course information and is collected under Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For more information about BCIT’s privacy practices contact: Associate Director, Privacy, Information Access & Policy Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, BC V5A 3H2, email: privacy@bcit.ca.