A bachelor’s degree with a major in social- or behaviour sciences or medicine and English 6

The aim of this course is for the student develop their knowledge in evaluation methodology. Specific focus is placed on evaluations relevant for the field of criminological research. The course aims to expand the students’ ability to critically assess the effects of strategies and measures with relevance for the field of criminology, as well as critically analyse the evaluations of these strategies and measures.

The course begins with an introduction to different types of evaluation designs and methodologies, which involves discussions of evaluation designs, general and specifically applicable to criminological relevant organizations. The course also presents examples of several classic evaluations and preventative strategies where evaluation design and implementation is assessed and related to achievable effects.

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. describe and differentiate between different evaluation approaches,

2. critically examine existing evaluations of measures in criminology,

3. describe how the results from evaluations can be implemented and used to reduce crime and increase social sustainability, and

4. design a criminological relevant evaluation project.

The teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars, group assignments, discussions (learning outcomes 1-4 and an independent evaluation project (learning outcome 4). The seminar that include presentation and discussion of the evaluation project is compulsory (learning outcome 4).

The assessment of the students’ performance will be made on the basis of the independent evaluation project and an oral presentation of the project.Focus of the assessment of the independent evaluation project and the oral presentation is the student’s ability to describe, critically examine, and design a criminological evaluation project. Any absence in compulsory parts shall, at the discretion of the examiner, be compensated by a written assignment. To receive a Passing Grade (C, D or E) it is required that the student have achieved all the learning outcomes by passing on the individually written paper and participating in the compulsory seminar. Achievement of the Grade of Distinction (A or B) requires that the examined course work is characterized by originality and meta-theoretical understanding and has been assessed with grade A or B.

Students who fail the exam are given the opportunity to do two re-takes with the same course content and with the same requirements. The student also has the right to take the examination in the same course in the subsequent courses according to the same rule. Examination and re-takes are carried out at the times specified in the course schedule.

English BJ, Cummings R, Straton RG, (2002) Choosing an Evaluation Model for Community Crime Prevention Programs. From Evaluation for Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention Studies, 14,119-169. 51 s.

Pawson R, Tilley N, (1997) Realistic Evaluation. London: Sage publications. 250 p.

Poyner B, (1993) What works in crime prevention: an overview of evaluations. In: Clarke RV, (ed.) Crime Prevention Studies vol.1 New York: Criminal Justice Press. 27 p.

Stufflebeam D L, Anthony J, Shinkfield A J, (2011) Evaluation Theory, Models, and Applications. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons Inc. 768 p.

Additional material in the form of individually chosen literature of previous evaluations within the working field of criminology, approx. 200 p.

The course coordinator is responsible for conducting a summative evaluation after each course and give feedback to the students at the beginning of the next course. Notes from the feedback are made available to the course's students and feedback is given to the students who will start the course in the next course session.

If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students are offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.