Structure of the research work. Structure of scientific research Formulation of research paper abstracts

The structure of scientific research is something that no creative work closely related to one or another branch of relevant knowledge can do without. Forming it is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance; the most important thing is to adhere to the logic of presentation, otherwise the work will turn out to be torn into several parts.

When writing any diploma, dissertation, report or other creative work, structure is simply necessary. You should start by identifying the object of research to which the scientist will devote several months of his life, and then the research tools that will be used to investigate the hypothesis being studied. It is always important to understand what exactly you are studying, otherwise there is a risk of getting confused and doing a lot of useful, but completely unnecessary work.

Why is such work needed?

The overwhelming majority of things that currently exist and are familiar to man could not have appeared without preliminary research. This applies to absolutely everything, from the invention of the light bulb to mathematical calculations of the orbits of planets. A clear structure of scientific research is 50% of its success, because when a scientist clearly understands the result he must achieve, all the smaller goals seem to line up into a convenient and understandable route.

Modern scientists are engaged in the creation of such works every day, and it is worth noting that they do not always exist in the form of the usual diplomas and dissertations. For example, with the help of mathematical calculations alone, it was possible to prove the existence of a large number of objects located beyond the orbit of Pluto, which later, when the corresponding justification was formed, received their name - the Oort cloud.

Where does any research begin?

The initial stage in the structure of scientific research should be considered the formulation of the problem. It is here that the creator of the work looks for the most interesting problem, and also clearly formulates the objectives of his work. If the author of this study has a supervisor, he can help with determining the topic of the work, as well as with the correct formulation of a number of tasks related to it.

It should be noted that the formulation of a scientific problem must necessarily include work with initial information. We are talking primarily about the collection and subsequent processing of information about all methods for solving similar problems, as well as the results of research that have been carried out in this or related fields. It should be noted that additional data processing and analysis must be carried out constantly - from the beginning to the end of your work.

Hypothesis

The structure and content of scientific research at its next stage involves putting forward a primary hypothesis that will be studied. This happens only if the task of the work is formulated quite specifically, and all initial data are subjected to the latter. The latter involves a detailed study of information from the point of view of general applied and strictly professional scientific dogmas.

Science is an excellent platform for creativity, which is why a working hypothesis is often presented in several versions. The main task of the author of the work is to choose the most appropriate of them, while all the others cannot be abandoned. In some cases, an additional experiment is required; it is with its help that the object of scientific work can be studied much better.

Theoretical stage

The third stage involves conducting a number of surveys. The structure of the theoretical level of scientific research consists primarily of the synthesis of a large number of laws that are relevant to its object. Based on the material studied, the author must try to find completely new patterns that were not previously known. This can be done with a lot of help (linguistics, mathematics, etc.). For example, the unusual behavior of a planet and its satellites may indicate the presence of another celestial body nearby that has a corresponding influence.

At this stage, the author must find all possible connections between the phenomena that he identified during the analysis of the hypothesis, as well as summarize the information obtained. Ideally, the working hypothesis should be partially confirmed using all the data analyzed. If the assumption turns out to be erroneous, we can say that the theory was formulated incorrectly or insufficiently fully.

If the logic and structure of a scientific study are followed by its author, then it must, using analytical means, at least confirm the hypothesis taken into account. The author can easily use the data obtained to develop a theory that can explain those phenomena that relate to the situation under study, as well as predict the emergence of completely new ones.

What to do if the analyzed material could not help confirm the chosen hypothesis? Each scientist makes a decision here independently; some prefer to refine the initial assumption and correct it, and then begin collecting additional data about the subject of research. Some scientists, after recognizing their hypothesis as untenable, refuse to carry out scientific work because they consider it unpromising.

The most difficult stage

The logical structure of scientific research suggests that its author will have to conduct a certain experiment or even a series of similar activities, the results of which can confirm or refute the chosen hypothesis. Its purpose will directly depend on the nature of the work, as well as on the sequence of all experiments.

Experiments that are carried out after theoretical research are carried out must refute or confirm the researcher’s assumption. If theory is not enough, then the practical stage of performing experiments is carried out in advance in order to collect the material necessary for analysis. Then theoretical work will have a completely new meaning - it will have to explain the results of the experiments and generalize them for further work.

Analytics

The fifth stage in the structure of scientific research will require an analysis of the results that were obtained as a result of the experiments and theoretical searches. It is here that the hypothesis must find final confirmation, after which it will be possible to form a series of assumptions about what significance it may have in a person’s life. At the same time, it can be refuted on the basis of the analytical work done, and this may well correspond to the purpose of scientific work.

Next, you should summarize the results of the scientific work, namely, formulate them in such a way that it becomes clear whether they correspond to the tasks that were initially set by the author. This is one of the final stages of the structure of scientific and pedagogical research. If it was only theoretical in nature, then the work of its author ends here.

If there is a practical part, and also if the scientific work was related to technology, it includes another stage - mastering the results. The author must explain how the results of his research can be implemented in practice and propose technological developments for this process.

Methodology

When writing any work, it is necessary to follow the structure of scientific research methodology. We are talking about the implementation in it of a number of ways of cognition. First of all, it is important to take into account all the facts that allow you to obtain information about the object of study, their relevance and truthfulness. The history of the subject, theoretical knowledge about it, prospects for its development in the future - all this should be reflected in scientific work.

When writing it, it is important to take into account the fact that the elements being studied can constantly change, both for the better and for the worse. Due to this component of the structure of scientific research methodology, it is possible to identify only those that have the greatest impact on the study of a particular object. The process of working on the research itself must be systematic; the author must understand exactly what result he should arrive at and how exactly he can do it.

Scientific and pedagogical work

The structure and logic of scientific and pedagogical research, as you already know, consists of seven stages. Each of them is a self-sufficient unit in the general mechanism of scientific work, and it is impossible to abandon any of them. If the work is planned to be presented to a commission consisting of professionals in the field to which it relates, the wording should be as clear and transparent as possible.

Pedagogy has a number of features that must be taken into account when compiling a scientific work. In particular, it is impossible to do without indicating teaching methods that can be used to implement the proposed hypothesis. That is why the author of such work must have some experience in this field, which will allow him to talk with professionals on equal terms.

Work organization

The structure is quite simple. First, the topic of the work is determined; it can be formulated independently or with the help of a supervisor. The second option is most often used; the first is more suitable for those scientists who have already made a name for themselves and can create works on their own. As a rule, the academic director tries to give its applicants only topics that they can handle based on their experience.

At the introductory meeting, the director and the author of the work jointly formulate a topic and determine the composition of the parts of the study and the list of references for it. After this, a checkpoint is assigned, for which a certain amount of work will need to be prepared, which the supervisor will have to familiarize himself with in order to provide feedback to the author.

The topic of scientific research, its principles and structure must be reflected in the work, otherwise it will have nothing to do with science. As a rule, students fail to formulate them the first time, which is why the work is sent for rework and the next checkpoint is assigned.

Throughout the year, students must meet with their supervisors in order to ensure that their scientific works turn out to be truly interesting and voluminous. Defense of work at a university takes place in the presence of a commission, which includes the head of the department, scientific advisor, teachers of the department, as well as representatives of another university in which similar theoretical issues are being studied.

Scientific method

When writing any theoretical work, it is necessary to approach the process from a scientific point of view. The structure of the scientific research method consists of three components that must be present in it. The first of them is conceptual; it refers to the existing idea of ​​the possible forms of the object of study.

The second is operational; it includes all the standards, rules and methods of work that stipulate the cognitive activity carried out by the researcher. The third is logical, with its help it is possible to record all the results that were obtained during the active work of the author of a scientific work with the object and means of cognition. In addition, the work usually implements methods of theoretical and empirical knowledge.

The first of them is the process of reflecting all ongoing processes related to the study of the problem. It includes theories, hypotheses, laws, idealization, formalization, reflection, induction, abstraction, classification and deduction. The second presupposes the existence of specialized practice that will be directly related to the problem. It should include experiments, observations, scientific research, and measurements.

What happens next?

Once the research on a topic that interests you is completed and the defense is successful, the question arises of what to do with it next. There are a lot of options, the simplest one is to forget about it and switch to another activity, and, unfortunately, the majority follows it. The minority chooses to continue working on this research, based on the information received, a new hypothesis is created on the same topic, and the process starts anew.

The work can also be used by other scientists who, based on its analysis, can derive a completely new theory related to the object of study, and then expand on it and make an important discovery. For example, based on scientific work with a large amount of mathematical data, astronomers use a telescope to examine a fragment of the starry sky in order to discover a new star or planet, and if the calculations are performed correctly, then the chance of a successful search increases significantly.

Conclusion

The logic and structure of scientific research should be clearly visible throughout its entire duration, this is especially important when working on issues that are related to the exact sciences - mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc. If you feel that you have a fair amount of these two components “limp”, you can ask for help from your supervisor or more experienced colleagues who have repeatedly dealt with the creation of similar works and understand perfectly what components should be included in them.

Remember that it is important to complete your research, even if you think it is not entirely in line with your interests. Firstly, you will gain the experience necessary to write scientific papers in the future, and secondly, even if you doubt your actions, more experienced colleagues will always come to your aid. And then, if you follow through, you will be perceived as a person who keeps his word, and this is expensive, especially in the scientific world.

Rationale (Synopsis) is a presented and structured research problem of the research that the master's student intends to conduct during his studies and the result of which will be a Dissertation.

The structure of the Synopsis generally corresponds to the structure of the Introduction of the Dissertation (or other qualifying work: course work, diploma work, dissertation for the academic degrees of candidate and doctor of sciences), opens

The title page, which contains the formulation of the topic of the proposed research,

and includes the following sections:

Title, rationale for choosing a topic, characteristics of the research problem (corresponds to the formulation of the research problem on the title page of the Synopsis);

Relevance and novelty of the topic: analysis of the relevance of the proposed research / problem that is expected to be solved during the project. The purpose of this section is to formulate an understanding of the need to conduct the proposed research/project and complete the Dissertation;

Formulation of the main idea (hypothesis);

Description of the material on the basis of which the dissertation will be written: analysis of the research literature identified and studied by the undergraduate on the stated topic. The complex of research literature includes works in Russian and foreign languages, identified in various media. When preparing a Synopsis, as a rule, this is several dozen works (the minimum for a course work is 40, the minimum for a master's thesis is 80). As the Dissertation is prepared, the body of literature is replenished with newly identified and studied literature. The depth of retrospection is determined by the goals and objectives of the research being conducted, as well as the specific requirements of the relevant branch of science. The purpose of this section is to formulate a statement on the degree of knowledge of the research topic proposed by the undergraduate;

Goals and objectives of the work: formulation of the purpose of the proposed research/project. It is necessary to try to formulate the goal in grammatical categories of result, not process. For example: identify the main characteristics...; formulate the main stages...; identify and characterize the features of the process...; formulate and justify the sequence of preparation... It is not recommended: study the main characteristics...; explore the features of the process...; analyze the policy... In this case, the goal should be formulated so that it points to a result that is important for political science and public policy science and analysis.

Formulation of the tasks that need to be solved to successfully achieve the goal (as a rule, two or three major tasks of the proposed research are formulated);

Theoretical and methodological basis of the study. It is necessary not only to list the theoretical and methodological approaches on which the student will rely, but also to reveal how the listed approaches will help achieve the goal and solve the research problems;

Research methodology with justification of selected research methods and data sources

The degree of scientific development of the research topic and the scientific novelty of the research

Work structure: justification of the approximate structure of the proposed research/project

If necessary, characterize the body of sources for the research being conducted in terms of the information content of the sources, the degree of completeness and reliability of the information contained in them;

If necessary, a description of the chronological and geographical scope of the proposed study;

If necessary, the theoretical value and practical significance of the work, the main provisions submitted for defense, testing of the research results, justification of the selected “cases” for analysis

Basic bibliography on the selected topic.

Volume – 300 words. Presentation – A4 sheet, date

APPENDIX 7. Formulation of components (parts) of the master's thesis in accordance with the requirements for master's theses

The master's thesis must contain:

Title page;

Introduction;

Heads of the main part;

Conclusion;

Bibliography;

Applications.

The title page is filled out according to strictly defined rules. A table of contents, which lists all the headings of the dissertation work and indicates the pages from which they begin. The headings in the table of contents should be identical to the headings in the text. Headings begin with a capital letter without a period at the end.

The introduction should be brief, it substantiates the relevance of the chosen topic, the purpose, the content of the tasks, formulates the object, subject and hypothesis of the research, indicates the chosen research method, the theoretical significance and practical value of the results obtained, and reports the provisions submitted for defense.

The relevance of the study is determined by:

The need to supplement theoretical justifications related to the problem being studied;

The need for new theoretical, historical, experimental data; the need for new methods;

The need for practice.

The purpose of the study is the desired, final result of the study. Specific research tasks are solved in accordance with the purpose. The description of the solution to the problems should form the content of the chapters of the dissertation work. Object and subject of research. An object is a process or phenomena that generates a problem situation and is chosen for study.

Subject - certain properties of an object, their relationships, dependence of the object and properties on any conditions. The characteristics of an object are measured, determined, classified. The subject of research can be phenomena as a whole, their individual aspects, aspects and relationships between individual parties and wholes.

Research hypothesis. The word “hypothesis” can be defined as “a scientific proposal put forward to explain a phenomenon and requiring experimental verification and theoretical justification in order to become a reliable scientific theory.” The thesis research hypothesis should. concrete and put forward an assumption about the existence of a phenomenon, its properties, relationship with some other phenomena. Conducting research can either confirm or refute the hypothesis put forward in the thesis. In any case, the obtained experimental material and its analysis make it possible to determine further study of the problem under study.

Research methods are a tool for obtaining material to achieve the goal set in the work. The main methods of scientific research are: observation, experiment, modeling. When working on a thesis research, it is possible to use all groups of methods in a comprehensive manner, which is determined by the characteristics of the object and subject of the research and the goals set.

At the end of the introduction, you can reveal the structure of the dissertation work.

Heads of the main part. Most often, the text of the main part contains 2-3 chapters. The content of the chapters must correspond to the topic of the dissertation work and reveal it.

The main part discusses the methodology and research technique, and summarizes the results.

Conclusion. In conclusion, a generalized final assessment of the work done is given in accordance with the objectives of the study, from the point of view of confirming the hypothesis. In conclusion, possible ways of applying the results obtained in theory and practice may be noted.

Bibliographic list of used literature. The list is compiled in alphabetical order. Each literary source must have a full bibliographic description and be reflected in the dissertation.

Science develops through general methodology and special methods. Methodology- this is the doctrine of methods of understanding reality and influencing it using a set of techniques used in this science.

Scientific research can be characterized as a production process, which is based on a mental pile aimed at studying natural and social phenomena in order to establish new facts and patterns of interest for practical use. As a result of research, material and spiritual values ​​are produced. Scientific value is determined by the novelty, necessity and reliability of the research results.

Scientific research can be empirical (experimental), when knowledge about the objects being studied is derived from observations, specially conducted experiments, and theoretical, when, on the basis of mental image formation (abstraction), a model of the object is created and described, the reliability of which is verified by experience. Empirical and theoretical knowledge are closely related, since the starting point in the formation of a theoretical model is a hypothesis (scientific assumption), which is based on empirical knowledge. A hypothesis becomes a theory only after its comprehensive experimental verification. In technical sciences, theoretical and experimental research prevails.

General scientific methods are analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction.

Analysis is a method of studying a subject based on dividing it into parts that are studied separately by abstracting from the influence of other parts, while the researcher’s task is significantly simplified. For a complete understanding of an object, it is necessary to consider its parts in interaction with each other, their mutual influence and connections. This higher level of research is called synthesis.

Induction(inductive method) is a path to generalization, when the researcher, based on the data obtained about particulars (for example, about the properties of any individual objects), makes a general conclusion, establishes some general pattern.

Deduction(deductive method) is a path from the general to the particular, when a researcher, based on knowledge of some general patterns, can logically assume specific patterns inherent in the subject he is studying.

In addition to these general methods, numerous specific methods and techniques for conducting scientific work are widely used in science. These methods include:

analogy– a method used primarily in the development of hypotheses and based on the similarity of the physical essence or methods of describing the process under study with another previously studied in another branch of knowledge;

formalization– the use of sign systems to describe the premises, the course of reasoning, and the results of the study;

classification– dividing sets of objects into groups according to semantic characteristics to ensure the direction of the cognitive process;

system analysis– preparation and justification of solutions to complex scientific problems;

modeling– creation of a material, symbolic or mental system that reproduces certain properties, features, functions of real objects of research.

The sciences are divided into three large groups; natural, technical and social. Scientific research is divided into fundamental and applied.

Fundamental research includes research aimed at understanding the basic laws of nature and society; applied research includes research that uses the results of fundamental research to solve cognitive and practical problems.

In accordance with the modern classification, sciences are divided into 19 branches: physical and mathematical, chemical, biological, geological and mineralogical, technical, agricultural, historical, economic, philosophical, philological, geographical, legal, pedagogical, medical, pharmaceutical, veterinary, art history, architectural , psychological. Industries are divided into groups of specialties, of which there are about five hundred. Technical sciences include 26 groups of specialties.

The general structure of scientific research consists of:

Problem justifying the choice of topic study of the state of the issue setting the goal and objectives of the study theoretical research experimental research comparison of results determination of the economic effect conclusions and recommendations preparation of a report reviewing, discussion implementation, publication, patenting analysis of the results of practical implementation setting new tasks.

A problem is understood as a complex issue, a major scientific problem, the solution of which makes a significant contribution to the development of a scientific direction, the improvement of social production, and the social structure of society. Complex problems are solved with the involvement of scientific fields, sometimes from different branches of science. Smaller problems are solved within one industry, group of specialists, or individual specialty.

The problem breaks down into separate topics. The topic is developed within one specialty, sometimes at the junction of two or three. The choice of topic must be carefully thought out and justified, which requires an in-depth study of the state of the issue. On this basis, the purpose and objectives of the study can be clearly stated. Sometimes, due to the lack of sufficient information in the literature on the issue under study or the presence of contradictory information, in order to correctly formulate the problem, it is necessary to conduct preliminary observations or experiments (search experiment).

The data obtained allow us to move on to theoretical research, the results of which, based on speculative conclusions, usually require experimental verification. To formulate final conclusions and recommendations, the results of theoretical and experimental research are compared and the economic effect expected from the implementation of proposals and recommendations into practice is established. The final stage of the research work is the preparation of the report, its review and discussion. After this, new scientific and practical results can be formalized for publication in print, patenting, and implementation into production. As a rule, work on the topic does not end there, since implementation in production requires supervision, clarification of the resulting economic effect, and expansion of the scope of implementation in the national economy (replication).

Lecture 3 (2.2. Selecting a topic. Studying the state of the issue under study;2.3. Problems of scientific research; 2.4. Fundamentals of theoretical research methodology)

TEST

In the discipline Methodology of scientific knowledge

Topic: Research structure. Development of conceptual provisions and research apparatus (hypotheses, methods, stages, objects, means, etc.)

Option No. 2

Performed: groupie student U-14-FN-2d

Checked: teacher Mizun Victoria Nikolaevna

Mariupol 2016

Plan:

Introduction________________________________________________________________3

1. Structure of scientific research______________________________________4

2. Statement of the problem______________________________________________6

3. Studying materials_______________________________________________9

4. Working hypothesis_________________________________________________11

5.Development of conceptual provisions and research apparatus (hypotheses, methods, stages, objects, means, etc.)__________________13

Conclusion__________________________________________________________23

List of used literature_______________________________________24

Introduction

Science differs from any sphere of human activity in its goals, means, motives and conditions in which scientific work takes place. If the goal of science is to comprehend the truth, then its method is scientific research.

Research, in contrast to spontaneous forms of knowledge of the surrounding world, is based on the norm of activity - the scientific method. Its implementation presupposes awareness and fixation of the purpose of the research, research tools (methodology, approaches, methods, techniques), and orientation of the research towards the reproducibility of the result.

The methodology of scientific research (as well as the research itself) is divided into a number of areas. The main ones are the following:

1) Empirical research is a factual logical study based on existing or experimentally obtained facts in any specific area of ​​scientific knowledge;

2) Theoretical research – research in which the object is studied only mentally, indirectly. The language of theoretical research differs from the language of empirical descriptions. It is based on theoretical terms, the meaning of which is theoretical ideal objects.

At the same time, it should be noted that such a division is largely arbitrary. As a rule, most studies are of a theoretical and empirical nature. Any research is carried out not in isolation, but within the framework of an integral scientific program or for the purpose of developing a scientific direction.

Structure of scientific research

Scientific research carried out in the field of applied sciences goes through a number of stages that constitute the structure of scientific research. Scientific research includes seven main stages.

1. Statement of the problem. The stage consists not only in finding a problem that needs to be investigated, but also in an accurate, clear formulation of the problem of scientific research. It is important to correctly formulate the research problem; its successful outcome significantly depends on this.

2. Proposition and substantiation of a hypothesis. In most cases, the development of a working hypothesis is carried out on the basis of a clearly formulated research problem and a critical analysis of the collected initial information, while the hypothesis may have several options, from which the most appropriate is selected, without discarding the remaining options. To clarify the hypothesis, preliminary experiments are sometimes carried out in order to study the object under study in more depth.

3. Theoretical research. In applied technical research, theoretical research consists of the analysis and synthesis of patterns and their application to the object under study, as well as the search for new, still unknown patterns using the apparatus of mathematics, theoretical mechanics and other disciplines.

The purpose of theoretical research is to summarize the observed phenomena and connections between them as completely as possible, and to obtain more consequences from the accepted working hypothesis. Such a study analytically develops the accepted hypothesis and should lead to the development of a theory of the problem under study, that is, to a scientifically generalized system of knowledge within the limits of this problem. This theory, in turn, must explain and predict facts and phenomena related to the problem under study. The decisive factor here is the criterion of practice.

4. Experimental study. An experiment, or a scientifically conducted experiment, is the most complex and labor-intensive stage of scientific research. The purpose of the experiment varies and depends on the nature of the scientific research and the sequence of its implementation. In the “normal” development of research, the experiment is carried out after the theoretical research. In this case, the experiment confirms or, more rarely, refutes the results of theoretical studies. Often the order of research is different, and the experiment precedes the theoretical research. This is typical for exploratory experiments in the absence of a sufficient theoretical basis for the study. In this case, the theory explains and generalizes the results of the experiment.

5. Analysis and comparison of results. The consequence of comparing the results of experimental and theoretical research is the confirmation of the working hypothesis and the formulation of consequences arising from it, or the need to clarify the hypothesis. It rarely happens that a hypothesis has to be rejected (if the result is negative).

6. Final conclusions. At this stage, the results of the study are summed up, that is, the results obtained are formulated and their compliance with the task is checked. For purely theoretical research, this stage is the final one. For most engineering work, there is one more step involved.

7. Mastering the results is a stage of preparation for the industrial implementation of the results obtained, the development of technological or design principles for implementation, which often does not fit into the framework of a purely engineering “fine-tuning” and requires the indispensable participation of the authors of the study.

Let us consider in more detail the first three stages: statement of the problem, including the collection of initial information, the formulation of a hypothesis and the basic methods of theoretical research.

Formulation of the problem

Scientific research is impossible without posing a scientific problem. Problem– this is a complex theoretical or practical issue that requires study and resolution; this is a problem to be researched. Therefore, a problem is something that is not yet known, which arose in the course of the development of science and the needs of society.

Problems do not arise out of nowhere; they always grow from the results obtained earlier. Any problem contains two inextricably linked elements: objective knowledge of what is not yet known, and the assumption of the possibility of obtaining new patterns or a fundamentally new way of practical application of previously acquired knowledge. It is assumed that this new knowledge is necessary for society.

There are three stages in problem formulation: search, actual formulation and development of the problem.

Search for a problem. Many scientific and technical problems lie, as they say, on the surface, without requiring a search. They receive a social order when it is necessary to determine ways and find new means to resolve the contradiction that has arisen.

For example, the problem of creating a “clean” engine that does not pollute the air. More often, the problems are not so clear and obvious, in particular the problem of creating an air-cushioned vehicle, which arose due to the need to increase the vehicle's cross-country ability and move away from such an ancient propulsion device as the wheel. These are major scientific and technical problems. They contain many small problems that can also become the subject of scientific research. Often the problem arises “from the opposite”, when practice produces results that are opposite or sharply different from those expected.

Formulation of the problem. As you know, correctly posing a problem, that is, clearly formulating a goal, defining the boundaries of research and accordingly establishing objects of research, is far from simple and, most importantly, very individual for each specific case. However, there are four general “rules” for posing a problem.

1. Strict restriction of the known from the new. To pose a problem, you need to have a good knowledge of the latest achievements of science and technology in this area in order to correctly assess the novelty of the discovered contradiction and not pose a problem that has already been solved previously.

2. Localization (limitation) of the unknown. It is necessary to clearly limit the area of ​​the new to realistically possible limits, to highlight the subject of specific research, since the area of ​​the unknown is limitless and does not allow it to be covered by one or a group of studies.

3. Determination of possible conditions for a solution. The type of problem should be clarified: scientific-theoretical or practical, special or complex, universal or particular; determine the general research methodology, which largely depends on the type of problem, and establish the scale of accuracy of measurements and estimates.

4. The presence of uncertainty or variability - provides for the possibility of replacing, in the course of developing and solving a problem, previously selected methods, methods, techniques with new, more advanced or more suitable ones for solving a given problem or unsatisfactory formulations with new ones, as well as replacing previously selected private relations, defined as necessary for research, new ones that more fully meet the objectives of the research.

The area of ​​the unknown when posing a problem (the first two “rules”) must be limited and localized, and accordingly the third “rule” must be strictly followed, requiring that the problem contain more uncertainty, since the solution to any problem is an intrusion into an area full of surprises , for which there may not be already known methods of research and assessment.

Deployment of the problem. The solution of a scientific, technical or scientific problem should not be considered as a one-time act. The solution to a problem often coincides with its development, that is, with the emergence and formulation of additional questions that are grouped around a central question - the focal point of any problem.

Solving additional questions provides the researcher with the data and facts necessary to find an answer to the main question of the problem. Additional questions, to a certain extent, are identified with the concept of “aspect of the problem,” i.e., with the study of an object of study in a new connection, with new objects, or are equated with the consideration of an old, studied object in relation to new conditions.

The central question of a scientific problem is a kind of node to which various aspects of the problem are tied. In some cases, they can be considered as separate research topics, separate sections of the problem, and sometimes as independent problems. One problem can develop into another, these problems can be replenished with new questions, as a result, aspects of the main problem multiply and this, to a large extent, is its development. Figuratively speaking, in order for a researcher not to “reinvent the wheel,” he needs to know what has already been done and at what level, for which it is necessary to study literary and other available sources of information.

Studying materials

Conducting scientific research begins with studying and analyzing the experience of predecessors, as well as research materials in related fields of science. Often, due to lack of awareness, a researcher may make hasty, insufficiently substantiated conclusions, incorrect conclusions, or repeat the discoveries of others in his work.

According to some data, every day in the world an average of about 100 printed sheets of text are published in various forms per specialist working in a narrow branch of science and technology. This increase in printed work makes the process of studying materials quite a challenging task. There are two stages in studying materials: searching for a source of information and becoming familiar with sources of information.

The first stage is searching for a source of information. The study begins with monographs devoted to the direction in which research is supposed to be carried out. This achieves two goals: getting acquainted with the modern point of view on the problem under study, the approach to it and research methodology; get acquainted with the main literature - monographs, as a rule, have a fairly complete bibliographic index.

In the future, the novice researcher needs the following:

get acquainted with the literature indicated in the bibliography, i.e. books, brochures, articles in magazines, dissertations, etc.;

review abstract journals on the relevant section of science and technology and information publications (express information, information sheets, collections of research institutes and industries);

study specialized magazines;

study the works of institutes, abstracts of conference reports, abstracts of dissertations.

The second stage is familiarization with sources of information. There are two extremes: either they look through the table of contents of the book and other sources and, not finding the material of interest there, lose interest in the source; they read and even take notes on everything, without separating what is necessary from what is unnecessary. In the first case, there may be a loss of information on a related issue. It is more correct to build the stage of studying the material, dividing it into two components: familiarization and reading.

If, in the process of briefly familiarizing yourself with information material, the need arises to familiarize yourself with it in detail, you should not read everything in a row: it has been established that scientific and technical literature contains only 30% of the content material and the book should be read in such a way that the thought is concentrated on it.

Working hypothesis

Analysis of the initial information allows us to formulate a working hypothesis. In the modern period, the knowledge existing in science and technology in a chosen direction is, as a rule, quite sufficient to pose a new problem or note an unresolved issue, but not enough to solve them. For this purpose, new scientific knowledge, new facts are needed, i.e., objective phenomena or processes that occur in reality and are reliable. Collecting facts is the most important part of scientific research. They are collected in accordance with the scientific problem put forward, but they do not in themselves constitute scientific research. At the first stages of research, facts are needed to put forward a certain assumption - a working hypothesis.

The discovery of a new hypothesis is difficult because it is often necessary to abandon the pattern to which one is accustomed, so much so that it is considered unconditional.

A working hypothesis is a reasonable assumption made by the researcher about the probable cause of the occurrence of observed facts or about the probable, conjectural development of a process or phenomenon. A hypothesis is characterized by the fact that it formulates provisions with new content that go beyond the limits of existing knowledge, puts forward new ideas of a probable nature, on the basis of which the search for new scientific results occurs. This is the essence and value of a hypothesis as a form of scientific development.

Initially, a new thought appears in the form of a guess, most often put forward intuitively. Scientific imagination is of great importance in this process, without which it is difficult to express a new idea in science and technology. In order for a guess to become the property of science, it is necessary to turn it into a scientific hypothesis, enclosing the fantasy within the strict framework established by science. This means that not every arbitrary assumption about the cause of a certain phenomenon is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is only an assumption that, firstly, does not contradict scientifically established assumptions and laws in a given field of science and, secondly, the probability of the truth of the stated assumption can and should be justified. If the stated assumption is in conflict with firmly established scientific principles, then it cannot be considered a scientific hypothesis. For example, the “hypothesis” about the possibility of creating a perpetual motion machine, which contradicts the law of conservation of energy.

A working hypothesis, at a minimum, determines the causes, conditions, and driving forces that determine the development of the phenomenon under study. To the maximum, it provides a complete or almost complete probable explanation of the entire process of development of the phenomenon under study. However, the maximum can be obtained only in the process of theoretical or experimental substantiation of the hypothesis put forward, i.e. in the process of scientific research. Then a well-founded, confirmed and developed working hypothesis develops into a scientific theory.

A sufficiently fully and clearly developed working hypothesis significantly facilitates further work, allowing one to incorporate into the methodology of theoretical and experimental research very specific parameters characterizing the phenomenon or object being studied that is supposed to be measured. In addition, correctly carried out preliminary analytical development of a hypothesis (mathematical expression) will help to outline more fully and correctly the main directions of the subsequent experiment, since the development of a theory must precede the experiment.