Scientific knowledge is traditionally divided into several groups depending on the breadth of application: this includes chastnonauchnogo, universal and scientific methods.Let us consider each of these in more detail.
Historically, only two general methods: the metaphysical and dialectical.And the first has been gradually supplanted by the second, starting around the middle of the XIX century.
basic scientific methods have a wide range of applications, which is interdisciplinary.Thanks to this versatility, they are used in a variety of areas of scientific sphere of human activity.
chastnonauchnogo methods, in turn, are a special group, which includes research for a particular object or phenomenon.Nevertheless, they contain features of both methods of study and knowledge of the world that have been considered previously.
In turn, each category is represented by their classification.For example, to scientific methods include theoretical and empirical, as well as a mixed level of knowledge.
way of knowing at the theoretical level is a study of logical or rational part of the phenomenon.This will help identify links and patterns between objects and, in addition, to identify the most important and significant part of each of them.Consequently, the results of such research are laws, theories, axioms and hypotheses.
In turn, the scientific methods relevant to the empirical level of knowledge is a study applied directly to real objects that people can perceive through the senses.The data collected, and then undergo a process of primary systematization.This results in charts, graphs and tables.
Since the empirical and theoretical level have a close relationship, in a separate group can be taken out scientific methods, which in some situations can be attributed to both the first and the second.As an example to this group include the simulation.It allows you to recreate the psychological reality, which would be possible to determine the behavior of the object in a given situation (impact of emotive memories and stories to change the mood and state of the subject).
Let us consider some common scientific methods.
Observation
purposeful visual sense systematic study of objects and phenomena to acquire skills and scientific knowledge about the outside world.It is characterized by three features: 1. The balanced development;2. focus;3. Activity.Without these characteristics observation becomes passive contemplation.
empirical description
Writing and recording information about processes, objects and phenomena, which were obtained during observation, by various means of artificial and natural language.However, by this method, knowledge of certain requirements such as objectivity, completeness of the information and scientific content.
experiment
are more complex forms of surveillance, as it involves the deliberate and active participation.In other words, this directional change one variable and comprehensive monitoring of the rendered its impact on other components of the object, phenomenon or process.
