General scientific methods as a component of knowledge of the surrounding world

Scientific knowledge is traditionally divided into several groups depending on the breadth of application: this includes the private, general and general scientific methods. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Historically, there are only two general methods: metaphysical and dialectical. And the first was gradually replaced by the second, starting around the middle of the XIX century.

Basic general scientific methods have a wide range of applications, which is interdisciplinary. Thanks to this universality, they are used in various fields of the scientific sphere of human activity.

Private scientific methods, in turn, represent a special group, which includes research for a particular object or phenomenon. Nevertheless, they contain the features of both ways of studying and understanding the surrounding world, which were considered earlier.

In turn, each of the categories presented has its own classification. For example, the general scientific methods include theoretical and empirical, as well as a mixed level of cognition.

The methods of cognition on the theoretical level are the investigations of the logical or rational component of the phenomenon. This will help to identify links and patterns between the objects and, in addition, to identify the most important and significant aspects of each of them. Consequently, the results of such studies are laws, theories, axioms and hypotheses.

In turn, general scientific methods relating to the empirical level of cognition are research applied directly to real objects that a person can perceive with the help of sense organs. The received data accumulate, and then pass the process of primary systematization. The result is schemes, graphs and tables.

Since the empirical and theoretical level have a close relationship, general scientific methods can be taken out into a separate group, which in one or another situation can be attributed to both the first and the second. As an example, this group includes modeling. It allows us to recreate a psychological reality that would allow us to determine the behavior of an object in a given situation (the influence of emotionally colored memories and stories on the change in the mood and condition of the subject).

Let us consider in more detail some of the most common general scientific methods.

Observation

Purposeful visual-sensual systematic study of objects and phenomena for the acquisition of skills and scientific knowledge about the external world. It is characterized by three features: 1. planned; 2. purposefulness; 3. activity. Without the above characteristics, observation becomes passive contemplation.

An Empirical Description

Recording and recording information about processes, objects and phenomena that were obtained in the course of observation, using various means of artificial and natural language. However, certain requirements are imposed on this method of cognition , for example, objectivity, completeness of information and their scientific content.

Experiment

It is a more complicated form of observation, since it involves a purposeful and active participation. In other words, this is a directed change in one variable and a comprehensive observation of the effect it has on other components of an object, phenomenon, or process.