Student research in pedagogy, whether it be a term paper or a diploma (WRC), should make a certain contribution to the development of pedagogical science. Therefore, the young researcher must clearly understand the functions of pedagogical science, as well as what is the methodology of pedagogical science.
The theoretical function is realized in the study and explanation of advanced pedagogical experience (descriptive level), in the diagnosis of pedagogical activity, pedagogical phenomena (diagnostic level), in experimental studies of pedagogical reality and the construction of transformation models - pedagogical theories, systems (prognostic level).
The technological function is to develop teaching materials necessary for the implementation of pedagogical concepts, theories (projective level); in testing the achievements of pedagogical science in educational practice (transformative level); in assessing the impact of the results of pedagogical research on pedagogical practice and the possibilities for its correction (reflective level).
The concept of “ methodology of pedagogical science” includes general principles, structure, logical organization, methods and means of cognition, transformation of reality.
The methodology of pedagogical science is a complex subordinate system consisting of four levels:
a) The philosophical level - the highest level, acts as the substantive basis of all methodological knowledge, defines worldview approaches to scientific research.
It is represented by several directions, in accordance with which the worldview of the studied pedagogical process takes place: neotomism, positivism and neopositivism, dialectical materialism, ontologism, epistemology, neo-Kantianism, pragmatism and neopragmatism, existentialism, globalism and others.
b) The general scientific level includes methodological approaches to all or most scientific disciplines, including pedagogical.
The concept of “approach” emphasizes the main direction of research, a kind of angle of view on the object of study. In pedagogical research, there are:
- a systematic approach that reflects the universal connection and interdependence of phenomena and processes of the surrounding reality;
- an integrated approach involving the study of activities, taking into account the comprehensiveness of the process or phenomenon, as well as all significant reasons influencing the development and use of various means to achieve the goal.
- hermeneutic - reflects the need to study the understanding, interpretation of texts, signs, meanings.
- paradigmatic - reveals a way of organizing scientific knowledge
c) The specific scientific level - methodological approaches in a particular discipline, in this case, pedagogy.
Currently, scientific and pedagogical research highlights the processes of humanization and historicization, which involve highlighting the priority of human values, introducing the context of culture and public life into the process of cognition. These trends suggest methodological approaches in pedagogical research: anthropological; personal; personality oriented; active; multisubjective; acmeological; axeological; culturological; essential; phenomenological; historical; logical; civilizational; formational.
d) Technological level - a set of methods, research techniques that ensure the reliability of empirical material and its primary processing, after which it is included in the array of scientific knowledge.
The methodology of pedagogical science is necessary to build student pedagogical research. The quality of pedagogical research allows us to evaluate its methodological characteristics, reflected in the introduction:
the relevance of the study, the problem, the object and subject of the study, the purpose and objectives of the study, the hypothesis (or basic propositions to be defended), the methodological basis of the study, research methods, research sources.
The methodology of pedagogical science , disclosed in the listed characteristics of student work, allows you to optimally quickly determine the direction of work, the choice of historical, theoretical or practical material for the study.