With each discovery in any scientific field, it becomes necessary to somehow identify and explain new phenomena, processes, and the relationships between them. The conceptual apparatus of science is a dynamic phenomenon that changes in parallel with the vocabulary of the field of use.
Definition
Each scientific discovery necessitates its definition, the title "What is this?" - so the term appears. Then there is a comparison of open scientific phenomena and processes with existing ones: “What does it look like, how does it differ?” The obtained data on similarities and differences are generalized and systematized.
The conceptual apparatus is a logically structured system of special terms, which allows for a uniform interpretation and understanding of the relationships and processes that are formed in science.
Specific terminology is required for any discipline. The humanities are especially rich in their own terms and definitions: philosophy, psychology, linguistics.
Conceptual and categorical research apparatus
To one degree or another, everyone is engaged in scientific research - from schoolchildren to academicians. The researcher is primarily faced with a number of issues that form the conceptual apparatus of the study:
- why should it be studied, how relevant and practical is it?
- What are the contradictions with the existing material on the research topic, and what will be its theme?
- What is the goal, objectives, object and subject of study?
- What hypothesis should be confirmed or refuted?
- What research methods should be used?
- What is the novelty and practical significance of the study?
The success of solving a scientific problem depends on how well the researcher has both a conceptual apparatus and practical skills of scientific work.
The relevance and practical value of the study
The scope of scientific research can be different, from a small laboratory work to solving a global problem (for example, studying the impact of industrial production on the environment). However, in any case, this scientific work should be relevant and practically useful.
Relevance is determined by the urgency, the importance of solving existing practical or theoretical problems. The topic of study as a whole or one of its aspects, a separate issue, which will be a significant step in its disclosure, may be relevant.
The practical value of the research is characterized by the degree of the benefit that it can bring in the course of applying its results in any type of human activity (in production, medicine, education, etc.).
The purpose and objectives of scientific work
Understanding the “gaps” in science, understanding the need to solve individual theoretical and practical problems leads the researcher to formulate the purpose of his research.
The goal is the final result that he wants to achieve in his scientific work on a specific problem: to prove something, to develop, substantiate, identify, verify, clarify.
The goal is achieved step by step in the process of sequentially solving individual tasks. Their choice should be justified by the logic of research and practical necessity on the way to the goal. The tasks outline the circle of theoretical research and practical actions of the researcher, which will help to obtain the planned result (goal).
Research Methods and Technique
Special actions aimed at achieving the goal are called methods. Incorrectly selected research methods can lead to erroneous results and conclusions.
Each science has its own methods, but there are general scientific ones. For example, the conceptual apparatus of pedagogy includes such methods as observation of the object, description and analysis of the actions of the studied object or process, analysis and systematization of the results, their description, experiment. But these same methods are used in the process of studying physical, chemical, biological and any other phenomena.
The application technique is a series of sequential actions aimed at its effective implementation, which requires careful preparation and thoughtfulness of all its details. In preparation for observing the object, the experimenter must decide: when, where, how long will this method be used, whether the observation will be open or secret, how the observation process will be fixed, etc.
Features of a scientific discipline dictate the need to develop specific methods and techniques of scientific work. In sociology and psychology, where the object of study is a person and the human community, this is, for example, interviewing, questioning, and polling.
Language of scientific research
In the preparation of scientific personnel, much attention is paid to their education in the culture of oral and written presentation of research materials. It can be strictly scientific in nature, understandable to specialists, or popular science, intended for a wide range of listeners and readers. An example is the conceptual apparatus of pedagogy - science, special terms and definitions of which are understandable to a wide range of people. In any case, the description of the study and its results should meet the following requirements:
- logical presentation of the material;
- its conciseness and concreteness, compliance with the norms of the literary language;
- accurate use of existing terms in their generally accepted sense;
- a clear explanation of the new terms introduced by the researcher into scientific usage;
- lack of colloquial expressions, jargon, foreign terminology, if there are analogues in the native language.
Public speaking (lecture) should not be a dry presentation of the material. It may include moderately emotional expressions and evaluations to attract listeners' attention.
The style and literacy of the presentation of scientific material gives an idea of both the general and the scientific culture of the author.