ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 95 Hours of tutorials: 5 Expository Class: 35 Interactive Classroom: 15 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Social, Basic and Methodological Psychology
Areas: Behavioural Science Methodology
Center Faculty of Law
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
General objective: Through this course, the application of the scientific method in Criminology will be reviewed and, since one of the scientific objectives of Criminology is the systematic description of the different criminal realities, students will be introduced to the use of statistics and the use of computer support for the analysis of relevant data in the field of Criminology.
Specific objectives: As a result of the learning process it is expected that the student will acquire skills to...
- Know the scientific research procedure as its phases or stages.
-Organize data from professional development, so that they can be subjected to statistical treatment by means of specific software.
- To carry out basic statistical analysis by means of computer tools such as SPSS or other similar and complementary tools.
- Apply statistical decision-making criteria based on data properties.
- Interpret the meaning of the basic calculations of descriptive statistics.
- Learn to use basic sampling techniques.
- Learn to develop instruments for the collection of information.
- Make reports of the methodological process and the results obtained from data collected in a systematic way.
Topic 1. Scientific Method.
1.1. Fundamentals of scientific research
1.2. Phases of the Scientific Method
1.3. Criminology with Science
Topic 2. Introduction to data processing
Statistics and levels of analysis
2.2. Exploratory data analysis
2.3. Descriptive statistics: central tendency indexes, variability, distribution and position
2.4. Bivariate statistics: statistical correlation and contrasts
2.5. Simple linear regression
Item 3. Populations and samples
3.1. Sampling. Basic concepts
Determination of the sample size
Probability sampling techniques
3.4. Non-probability sampling techniques
Item 4. Sources of information and data collection instruments
4.1. Primary sources of information
4.2. Secondary sources of information
4.3. Development of questionnaires and scales
4.4. Fundamentals and phases of survey methodology
4.5. Development of a survey research project
Theme 5. Measuring crime: Official sources and victimization survey
5.1. Official statistics
5.2. Victimization surveys
5.3. Self-reporting studies
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
Arce, C. and Real, E. (2001). Introduction to statistical analysis with SPSS for Windows. Barcelona: PPU.
Callejo, J., del Val, C., Gutierrez, J. and Viedma (2017). Introduction to social research techniques. Madrid: Editorial Universitaria Ramón Areces.
Callejo, J. and Viedma, A. (2009). Projects and strategies of Social Research: the perspective of intervention. Madrid: McGraw Hill.
Cañadas, I. and San Luís, C. (2020). Questionnaire construction in criminology. Madrid: Síntesis
Garcia-Pablos, A. (2016). Criminology. An introduction to its theoretical foundations. Valencia: Tirant Lo Blanch
Pozo, F., Navarro, L., López, A. andCaro, M.J. (2013). Introduction to the analysis of quantitative data in Criminology. Madrid:Editorial Tecnos
Redondo, S. and Garrido, V. (2013) Principles of Criminology. Valencia: Tirant Lo Blanch.
San Luís, C. y Cañadas, I. (2019). Statistical tools in criminology. Madrid: Síntesis
COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aron, A. and Aron, E. N. (1998). Statistics for psychology. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Botella, J., Suero, M. and Ximénez, C. (2012). Data analysis in psychology I. Madrid: Pirámide.
Ferro, J.M. (2013). The technical-scientific method in the investigation of crime. Jaén: Editorial Formación Alcalá.
León, O. and Montero, I. (2015). Research methods in Psychology and Education. Madrid: McGraw Hill, A. and San Martín, R. (1998). Analysis of data in psychology II. Madrid: Pirámide.
Pardo, A. and San Martín, R. (2010). Data analysis in social and health sciences II. Madrid: Síntesis.
Roldan, H. (2009). Introduction to criminology research. Granada: Editorial Gomares.
Serrano, Al. (2009). Introduction to Criminology. Madrid: Dykinson.
General competencies:
1. Ability to collaborate with others and relate to professionals in the various facets of criminological activity, as well as within interdisciplinary and multicultural teams (interpersonal GC)
2. Ability to reflect critically and constructively and to argue and express oneself in an organized and reasoned manner, both in oral and written communication (instrumental QA).
3. Ability to identify and explain complex social problems in the field of Criminology and to apply the appropriate strategies to solve them, working from a systemic perspective that makes it possible to consider them analytically and synthetically (instrumental QA).
4. Ability to use the knowledge that makes up Criminology as a scientific discipline and to identify and develop a set of research strategies of quantitative and qualitative methodology, both in the basic and applied fields (instrumental QA).
5. Ability to gather, interpret and synthesize relevant data and information (in particular through the computer network), within their area of study (instrumental QA)
6. Ability to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences, using correct language (legal, medical, psychological, sociological and technical) (instrumental QA)
Specific competences:
1. Knowing the scientific investigation procedure, as well as its phases or stages and applying it to the field of Criminology.
2. Know the scientific terminology of the investigation.
3. Knowledge of sampling techniques.
4. Know the procedures for collecting information
5. To be able to plan an investigation.
6. Know the basics of data processing and become familiar with uni and bivariate statistics.
7. Be able to prepare a research report.
The expository classes will be complemented with the interactive classes, in which the student will learn to apply the techniques learned in a theoretical way to real data. In the expository classes, the fundamental contents of the program will be explained, using both traditional and audiovisual methods. In the interactive classes the student will learn to carry out scientific research, to use sampling techniques, to elaborate diverse instruments of information collection, the analysis of data adapted to the same ones, using the statistical package SPSS, as well as the corresponding research report.
During the academic year, students must submit a written work of an empirical nature on a subject of criminological interest. The activities of the work include:
a) Reading of both basic and complementary materials.
b) Preparation of a research report that will be reviewed in seminar groups.
c) Individual study hours for the adequate acquisition of competences.
d) Tracking and searching for information on the Internet.
The evaluation system will be based on the assessment of the following criteria and elements:
- 80% of the qualification will be obtained after passing a theoretical-practical examination on the contents of the course programme.
- 20% will come from the evaluation of the empirical work done by the student on a subject of criminological interest. The deadline for the submission of this work will coincide with the official date of the exam of the first option, so that those students who do not submit it within this deadline may achieve a maximum grade of 8 (corresponding to the maximum grade of the exam).
All students (including those who are exempt from teaching) must take the exam on the official date established by the Centre.
With regard to the Permanence Regulations, the one approved by the USC and included in Article 5 (Aptos 1 and 2) will necessarily be in force. In case the student does not take the exam at the first opportunity, he/she may take the second option. In any case, in order to pass the course, the student will have to take one of the official exams indicated by the Centre. If the student does not sit for any exam and has not presented the empirical work, following the Regulations of Permanence, it will be marked "Not Presented".
The personal study and work time that students should dedicate to the course in order to maximize their possibilities of success in their academic performance are:
(a) reading materials (20 hours),
(b) self-employment and reporting (30 hours),
(c) study (52 hours),
(d) final exam (2 hours)
To ensure success in this matter, it is recommended:
(a) Continued attendance at both lectures and interactive classes. Ensure that there are no intermittent attendance.
(b) Active participation in the dynamics of the classes.
(c) To review the concepts seen in the previous classes.
Students may make any enquiries they wish about the course during normal tutorial hours. The tutoring schedule will be as follows.
Prof. Antonio Rial (Thursdays and Fridays from 10h to 13h. Office 65, Floor 2, Module A. Faculty of Psychology).
Prof. Eduardo Picón (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10h to 13h. Office 12, Ground Floor, Module B)
- In relation to the EVALUATION METHODOLOGY, for cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for the evaluation of students' academic performance and review of grades" will apply.
Antonio Rial Boubeta
Coordinador/a- Department
- Social, Basic and Methodological Psychology
- Area
- Behavioural Science Methodology
- Phone
- 881813912
- antonio.rial.boubeta [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Eduardo Picon Prado
- Department
- Social, Basic and Methodological Psychology
- Area
- Behavioural Science Methodology
- Phone
- 881813739
- eduardo.picon [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00-14:30 | Grupo clases expositivas | Spanish | Classroom 17 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 13:00-14:30 | Grupo clases expositivas | Spanish | Classroom 17 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo clases expositivas | Spanish | Classroom 17 |
| 01.09.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo clases expositivas | Assembly Hall |
| 06.13.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo clases expositivas | Classroom 5 |