Criminology Skills

• Covers practical, academic and research skills in one manageable volume providing the reader with all of the skills necessary to succeed in the study of criminology
• A strong emphasis on 'learning by doing' is achieved through the inclusion of practical examples and exercises throughout encouraging students to put the skills they are learning into a practical context
• Written in an informal, lively and entertaining style with concepts illustrated using examples that speak to real life experience and diagrams to support the written text
• Accompanied by an online resource centre packed with useful activities including some designed to test students' understanding of ethical considerations and the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Comprehensive coverage of research methods, ethics and data analysis that is tailored to the needs of criminology students at all levels

Readership: Undergraduate students taking 'skills for criminology' and/or 'research methods' modules on criminology degrees as well as undergraduate law or social science students taking optional modules in criminology.

Emily Finch, University of Surrey, and Stefan Fafinski, University of Leeds

Emily Finch is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey where her teaching focuses on criminal law and student skills. She is Professor of Research at the University of Winchester. Her overarching research interest is in public perceptions of crime and criminality and the impact of technology on criminal activity. She has a particular interest in jury decision-making and has conducted a number of empirical studies that explore factors that influence jury verdicts in rape, theft and fraud trials. Her work on identity theft won the Joseph Lister Award in 2005.

Stefan Fafinski is a Research Fellow at the University of Leeds and a Research Associate of the University of Oxford; he also teaches undergraduate cyberlaw and cybercrime. He is interested in the social factors that influence the misuse of information technology and the challenges that the Internet presents to the criminal law. He won the Joseph Lister Award for his work on the social aspects of computer crime in 2006.

"I think that this is a very clear, coherent, engaging and easy to follow text which acts as a welcome introduction for students to research methods in Criminology." - Dr Kieran McCartan, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of the West of England

"This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the skills required for criminological study at degree level. It is clearly written and structured and provides clear, concise advice and guidance, supported by examples and exercises that will help students from induction through to graduation." - David Porteous, Principal Lecturer in Criminology, Middlesex University

"A very clearly written book with interesting thinking points and practical examples for students to follow." - Dr Sarah Charman, Principal lecturer, University of Portsmouth

"full of very good, clear advice and guidance that students will find useful" - Dr Richard Peake, Lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Leeds

"An excellent study skills book for all Criminology undergraduate students." - Dr Stacy Banwell, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Greenwich

"A clear and reliable companion text for new and more experienced students alike." - Mr Jon Shute, Lecturer, University of Manchester

Introduction
1: Finding, using and evaluating criminological resources
1: Criminal Law
2: Books and journals
3: Statistics and official publications
4: Media and web sources
2: Academic Criminology Skills
5: Study skills
6: Writing skills
7: Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
8: Essay writing
9: Dissertations and research reports
10: Presentations
11: Revision and examinations
3: Research Skills in Criminology
12: Research ethics
13: Gathering data
14: Quantitative analysis
15: Qualitative analysis