Research methods in term paper are tools, tools that help to acquire new skills and knowledge, to expand the theoretical base. They allow you to confirm or justify the theses that are set out in the course work.
There are different methods of scientific research in term paper, so in each case it is important to choose them correctly.
Relevance
Research methods in the course work allow you to establish the truth, to correctly understand and explain the current situation, and if necessary, change it in the right direction. When selecting them, it is necessary to take into account the subject, object, objectives of the study.
Research methods in the course work are necessary to comprehend the topic, purpose, selection of an algorithm of action. Let's look at them.
The research methods in the term paper are divided into two groups:
Scientific approaches
This group includes:
- an analogy;
- abstraction;
- classification
- comparative analysis;
- generalization;
- analysis and study of literature;
- consideration of archival sources.
As necessary, you can use one or more of these methods. How is the term paper composed? Empirical research methods help build the material in a logical sequence.
Scientific
This group includes the following options:
- observation;
- modeling;
- experiments
- interview or conversation;
- measurements, calculations;
- description;
- poll
They should be disclosed in the practical part of the work. It is here that the results of using the selected option, the analysis of its use are described.
You can not randomly select methods of pedagogical research. Term paper should be written with the rationale for the choice, indicating its relevance to a particular material.
Selection example
How to choose research methods in term paper? An example is given on material related to biology. Suppose you need to consider the growth of corn under certain conditions, armed with a mathematical model based on the least squares. As a justification, the possibility of a complete reflection of statistical information can be noted. Among the distinguishing features that indicate the independence of the author, we highlight the absence of other works of this kind.
Description of theoretical methods
They do not imply practical actions, laboratory research. Let us dwell on the typical scientific approaches used in writing term papers.
Abstracting is based on the concretization of the quality of the subject or description of the phenomenon analyzed in the framework of scientific work.
Its essence lies in the fact that the student analyzes the quality or property of the subject and the object of study, necessary for writing a work, not taking into account other characteristics and properties.
Abstraction is one of the most popular methods in the humanitarian field. With it, you can understand the important patterns in pedagogy, psychology, philosophy.
As an example of abstraction, we can consider the analysis of literature, which is usually divided into various styles, types, genres. The application of this method helps to remove such characteristics as printing, publication, genre, so as not to leave the object and subject of work.
As a conclusion that the student draws on the basis of abstraction, one can consider the definition of literature in the form of the sum of works that reflect philosophical, artistic, other opinions, the ability to show the position of the author.
Analogy
What are these research methods? Topics of the course work selected by the student are first checked for similarity in the object of study with the finished materials, then a conclusion is made on the feasibility, relevance, and the ability to identify the novelty of the material.
Using analogy, it is impossible to get a 100% result, but it is this method that is suitable for the natural sciences.
Classification is one of the simplest methods that are used in research. Its essence lies in structuring, dividing into groups of objects of research by similar signs:
- materials (porcelain, earthenware, plastic, wood);
- styles (classic, gothic, baroque);
- physical qualities (volume, weight, mass)
There is also a division according to geopolitical affiliation, chronology. This is true for historical sciences. Depending on the direction of the term paper, the author may use other methods that allow to fully reflect the material.
Generalization is a popular method when writing creative work. When applying it, several objects and objects are combined into large blocks according to some similar signs to search for common parameters and distinctive characteristics.
There are several types of it:
- empirical (inductive), implying a transition from specific properties and characteristics to general restrictions;
- analytical, relating to the transition from one judgment to another, relating to the thought process without empirical reality
Use this method quite often. For example, as part of a term paper in chemistry, after a series of experiments, the author must summarize the results he obtained and draw a conclusion. This method is also suitable for biology work.
Comparative analysis is one of the main techniques used by teachers in their work. It involves comparing the properties and characteristics of several objects, accompanied by the identification of similarities and differences. For example, it can be used in the analysis of a class team, conducting an early diagnosis of giftedness.
A comparative analysis is appropriate when evaluating several characteristics of a single vehicle. When studying literature, they use it to compare the artistic styles used by different authors.
Among the methods that can be used when writing a term paper, of interest is the synthesis. By it is meant a combination of several characteristics and properties into one. For example, synthesis is appropriate in production workshops to identify the general situation, assess the efficiency and profitability of production.
To summarize
Currently, students carry out term papers in various subject areas. Regardless of whether an artwork, substance, physical process is considered, it is important to choose the right methods for a qualitative consideration of the problem.
Depending on the object and subject of work, you can arm yourself with scientific or practical methods. For example, term papers in chemistry are more practical actions, therefore, analysis, synthesis, generalization will be required.