The process of preparing for any research of a scientific nature involves several stages. Today, there are many different recommendations and supporting teaching materials. All of them, however, concern not the absence or presence of a particular stage, but, to a greater extent, their sequence. Common to all recommendations is the definition of the purpose of the study. Let's consider this question in more detail.
Key elements
Research of a scientific nature, in contrast to traditional, everyday knowledge, has a systematic and targeted focus. In this regard, it is extremely important to establish the scope of study. As a certain coordinate system are the subject and purpose of the study. Any work in scientific knowledge begins with the establishment of a system. After passing through this stage, a theme is formulated. The purpose of the study acts as the final result. It should be the result of all the planned work.
Object area
It represents a practical and scientific field. Within it lies the actual object of study. In a school course, this area may correspond to any particular discipline. For example, it can be biology, literature, mathematics, physics, history, etc. The object of research is a certain phenomenon or process that causes a problem. Activities are directed at him. The subject of the study is a specific site of the object, within which the search for solutions. This element of the system can be an event in general, its individual sides, relations between any components, interactions between one of them and the entire set of connections. The boundaries between these elements are very arbitrary. What may be the object of study in one case, in another will be an object area. For example, scientific activity is aimed at studying the creative ties of Russian and French literature of the 19th century. The subject of research in this case may be the features of borrowing.
Problem
The purpose of the study, the object of study associated with a specific issue that must be resolved. The problem is considered a narrow field of study. The choice of a specific research topic for many is a rather difficult stage. Often the choice falls on difficult or large-scale problems. As part of an educational study, they can become unbearable for full disclosure. In such cases, it is likely that the purpose and objectives of the study will not be fully realized. A different situation may arise. For example, a student, for one reason or another, chooses a problem that has long been known to everyone and is incomprehensible only to a narrow circle of beginning researchers.
Hypothesis
You can clarify the topic by studying the special literature on the problem. After this, you can begin to establish a hypothesis. It is believed that this stage is the most responsible of all. To understand how to pass it successfully, you must first clarify the concept itself. The hypothesis should:
- Be verifiable.
- Corresponding to the facts.
- Do not be logically inconsistent.
- Contain an assumption.
Once the hypothesis meets all the requirements, we can proceed to the next step.
The purpose and objectives of the study
In a broad sense, they should clarify the areas in which the proof of the hypothesis will be carried out. The purpose of the study is the result that should be obtained at the end of the study. It may concern:
- descriptions of a new event, generalization;
- establishing the properties of phenomena not previously known;
- identify common patterns;
- formation of classifications and so on.
There are various ways in which the purpose of the study can be formulated. For this, cliches traditional for scientific speech are used. For example, a problem study may be carried out to:
- to reveal;
- justify;
- install;
- to develop;
- specify .
Means and methods of achieving a result
With great care, it is necessary to approach the question of formulating research objectives. This is due to the fact that the description of their decision will subsequently comprise the contents of the chapters. Their headings are formed from the wording of the tasks. In general, this element can be defined as the choice of means and ways to achieve the set result in accordance with the developed hypothesis. It is more expedient to formulate tasks in the form of affirming specific actions that need to be performed in order to achieve a goal. The listing should be built from simple to complex, time-consuming. Their number will depend on the depth of study. When formulated, the main goal of the study is divided into several smaller ones. Their consistent achievement allows a deeper study of the issue.
Methods
The purpose of the study is an ideal vision of the outcome directing human activities. After formulating all the key elements of the system, it is necessary to choose a method for solving the problem. The methods can be divided into special and general. The latter include mathematical, empirical, theoretical. The choice of method plays a crucial role in the success of research. A correctly selected method of resolving issues ensures guaranteed achievement of the planned result.
Theoretical techniques
In some cases, the aim of the study is a result that can only be achieved experimentally. In such a situation, it is better to use the modeling method. It allows you to study objects whose direct access is difficult or impossible. Modeling involves the performance of mental and practical actions with the model. There is another method to realize the goal of the study. This technique is called abstraction. It consists in a mental distraction from all non-essential aspects and focusing on one or several specific sides of the subject. Analysis is another effective method. It involves the decomposition of an object into components. The opposite is considered synthesis. This method involves combining the formed parts into a single whole. Using synthesis and analysis, for example, it is possible to conduct a study of the literature on a selected topic of scientific research. The ascent from the abstract element to the concrete is carried out in two stages. In the first, the object is divided into several parts and described using judgments and concepts. Then the original integrity is restored.
Empirical techniques
These include:
- Comparison
- Observation.
- Experiment.
The latter has certain advantages over others. The experiment allows not only to observe and compare, but also to change the conditions of study, to track the dynamics.
Mathematical methods
The purpose of the study can be achieved:
- Statistical tricks
- Models and methods of the theory of network modeling and graphs.
- Dynamic programming techniques.
- Models and queuing methods.
- Visualization of information (graphing, scheduling functions, etc.).
The choice of a specific method in the framework of educational research is carried out under the guidance of a teacher.
Conducting a study
Scientific research as a whole involves two stages. At the first, the study itself is carried out. It is called the "technological stage." The second stage is considered analytical, reflective. Before you begin, you need to make a plan. It distinguishes three parts. In the first:
- The purpose of the study (planned experiments) is indicated.
- A listing of the inventory necessary to complete the work is given.
- The forms of notes in a draft notebook are described.
The first part should also contain the initial processing of the results obtained in the course of practical actions and their analysis, the stage of their verification. The plan must include everything that a researcher can foresee at the very first stage. Key elements of activity are also formulated here. The second part describes the experimental stage of work. Its content will depend on the chosen topic, the sphere of scientific knowledge. They characterize the specifics of the study. The researcher needs to analyze how the methods chosen by him will be able to confirm the hypothesis put forward. If necessary, you should clarify the techniques in accordance with the planned results.
Decor
This is the third part of the work plan. It prescribes the method of examination and provides the results obtained in the study - from the review to the discussion within the group and speaking at the conference. It is advisable to present the results of the work to an audience of different composition. The more often the results are discussed, the better it will be for the researcher.
Plan Avenue
It provides a more detailed, abstract coverage of issues on which it is proposed to systematize the collected material. The prospectus plan acts as the basis for further evaluation by the head of scientific activity, establishing the conformity of the work to the goals and objectives. It shows the key provisions of the content of upcoming activities. It contains a description of the principles of the disclosure of the topic, construction and the ratio of the volumes of its individual parts. The plan-prospectus, in fact, acts as a draft table of contents with an abstract description and disclosure of the contents of its sections. Its presence allows you to analyze the results of activities, verify compliance with the goals set in the first stage and make adjustments if necessary.
Conclusion
To acquire knowledge, which together allow clarification of the problem, it is necessary to subdivide the study of its state. This separation provides a description of:
- The key characteristics of the phenomenon.
- Features of its development.
- Development or justification of criteria for indicators of the phenomenon under study.
The final results are formulated using verbs. Tasks are private independent goals relative to one common.