IRM1501 Introduction to Research Methodology for Law and Criminal Justice Assignment Questions 2025 | UNISA

Instructions for a Portfolio

Please read the following instructions carefully before answering the examination questions. Failure to do so could negatively affect your performance in this portfolio examination. Claiming that you were ignorant of the rules and instructions will not assist you if you fail to follow them.

• The examination question paper is worth 80 marks.
• It consists of 4 (four) questions. Answer ALL the questions.
• The duration of the examination is 7 working days and 12 hours. Your portfolio must be submitted via myModules by 27 May 2025 at 12h00(South African Standard Time). If the completed portfolio is not submitted before this time, a mark of 0% (zero) will be awarded, and you will fail the module.
• This is an open-book examination. You may consult your prescribed study material during the examination.
• Do not underestimate this portfolio -start early and submit early. No extensions will be granted under any circumstances.
• Please complete this portfolio examination by writing or typing out your answersto the questions. You do nothave to rewrite/retype the questions, but make sure that your answers are numbered correctly.
• You must submit your portfolio online on myModules on Moodle in PDF format. Convert your typed document to a PDF document, or scan in your written or typed pages to create a single PDF document.
• Answer all the questions.
• Read the questions very carefully before answering. Where a question asks that you address more than one aspect, each element of the question should be addressed in your answer. Also, use the marks allocated to a question as a guideline on how much information to provide in your answer. If a question counts only 1 mark, it is not necessary to write a paragraph or an essay. Likewise, if a question counts 4 or more marks, writing only Yes/No, or a few words is not sufficient.
• When you summarise cases or information extracted from the study guide and/or other sources, please use your own words; if you don't, that constitutes plagiarism. No marks will be awarded to answers that contain plagiarised content.

Portfolio Exam Questions

Question 1 

Discuss the relevant aspects of the case of Social Justice Coalition and Others v Minister of Police and Others(CCT 121/21) [2022] ZACC 27; 2022 (10) BCLR 1267 (CC) (19 July 2022), which is available under 'Additional resources'. (15 marks)

Question 2 

Concerning case law and academic literature, explain the concepts of ubuntu and social justice. Your answer should refer to the relevant sources, and your referencing style should be consistent with the OSCOLA style guidelines. (15 marks) 

Question 3

Describe qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and show the differences by highlighting the nature of the data collected.

Question 4

Find the case of Edward Nathan Sonnenberg Inc v Judith Mary Hawarden (421/2023) [2024] ZASCA 90; 2024 (5) SA 9 (SCA) (10 June 2024), which is available under 'Additional resources'

Write an essay about this case, covering the following aspects:

• The facts of this case
• The legal question
• The decision on the course 

Your essay must include footnotes in the prescribed format and referencing style, as an article, an Act of Parliament or legislation and one court case in preparing for your essay. (40 marks)