SC968-7-SP-CO:
Modelling Policing, Crime and Society
2025/26
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
20
19 March 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
SC504
(none)
(none)
MSC L31012 Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L310MO Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L31112 Migration Studies,
MSC L31D12 Policing and Data Analytics,
MPHDB79748 Health Studies,
PHD B79748 Health Studies
This is an intensive module on causal inference and advanced statistical modelling, providing students with the techniques to critique methods used in contemporary academic and policy work. It begins with an overview of causality in the social sciences, covering the fundamental problem of causal inference and randomized experiments (RCTs). The second part of the course delves into the most widely used approaches for drawing causal inferences from quasi-experimental data, such as difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity designs. Each week, a one-hour lecture will be followed by a two-hour lab-based session, where students will use R to implement the methods covered in the lectures.
Due to the advanced research methods involved in this module, some prior experience of quantitative research methods is required. SC504-7-AU is thus a prerequisite.
The aims of this module are:
- To get familiar with the concept of causality.
- To understand the motivation and theoretical underpinnings of common counterfactual designs.
- To gain an overview of common tools for causal analysis.
- To understand the strengths and weaknesses of these tools for answering specific research questions.
- To learn to use these tools in R.
- To develop skills to critically discuss findings and their interpretations from policy reports and academic research relevant to policing, criminology, and sociology.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Use various methods for causal analysis.
- Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of different approaches.
- Apply common tools for causality to specific research questions.
- Implement counterfactual models in R.
- Interpret outputs from counterfactual models in R.
- Critically assess policy reports and academic studies from social science literature in terms of causality.
The module will cover:
- Conceptualising Causality
- Randomised Controlled Trials
- Internal and External Validity
- Between- and Within-subjects Designs
- Difference in Differences Designs
- Regression Discontinuity Designs
Each one-hour lecture is followed by a two-hour lab-based session where students will use R to implement the methods covered in the lectures. Please note that this is an intensive course, and most students will need to spend one or two hours in the lab each week, in addition to these scheduled sessions, in order to cover the work.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 3 |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Paulo Serodio, email: pamato@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Paulo Serodio
socpgtad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Mr Paul Stoneman
Goldsmiths College, University of London
Available via Moodle
Of 29 hours, 11 (37.9%) hours available to students:
18 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.