This course is designed as a general introduction to the fundamental issues and problems that underpin research and the production of scholarly knowledge. It is strongly recommended for those who intend to pursue honours and/or further degrees. It should, however, also be of interest to most students as it explores concepts and debates that are important to fostering critical reasoning and applied skills. The course begins by exploring ontology (what is “reality”?) and epistemology (does our knowledge capture reality? or, can we access reality? If so, how do we do this? How much “faith” can we place in what we take to be knowledge of reality?) The course then explores two fundamental aspects of research. First, what is “data”? What role does data play in research? What can be positioned and used as data? Second, how is data analysed? That is, how do we go from data to theory, interpretation, or making arguments and knowledge claims? The course then explores these questions through applied exercises, done individually and in groups, on how certain data sets (basic qualitative and quantitative) are gathered, collated, analysed, and disseminated to the public. This opens students up to a range of different methods and includes class discussion on when formal institutional ethics system approvals are traditionally required and when they are not, and why. Given that dissertations at honours and masters levels are unlikely to involve research participants (due to the time it can take to secure ethics approval), the value of engaging 'unobtrusive' research methods are discussed to give students a range of ideas for developing possible honours or masters dissertation topics and viable ways to pursue them. However, for those interested in undertaking criminological research with communities or specific population groups, these 'unobtrusive' methods will be discussed alongside those in need of more formal ethics committee approval.