What is the methodology? The concept of methodology. Scientific methodology - basic principles

In the XXI century, scientific knowledge in virtually all spheres of human life reached its peak. People have learned to know the world around them not only through practical successes and mistakes, but also theoretically, through the development of concepts, knowledge, etc. Such success of all existing sciences has arisen due to an additional category that has also developed over many centuries. After all, none of them could "generate" any kind of concept, if it had not used certain methods, methods or methods in the process of theoretical comprehension. It is thanks to these three components in the world there are new knowledge in one area or another, which ultimately leads to the evolution of the entire human species. Thus, in the article the author will try to consider the essence of such a concept as the methodology, as well as its key aspects.

The concept of methodology

It should be understood that this term can be found in many existing scientific branches. The concept of methodology is so multifaceted and specific that many people mistakenly call this category a separate science. Such conclusions are a misconception. In this case, a logical question arises: "What is the methodology?" For a better understanding, you need to look at its history. The very term "methodology" has ancient Greek roots. The word meant "the way to something", or "thought". In modern interpretation methodology is called the doctrine of the methods, methods and methods of research of a scientific subject. Thus, we are not talking about a separate industry, but about the totality of methods for studying a single scientific segment.

To fully understand the question of what a method and methodology is, you need to fully consider the essence of this teaching. It has not only an original structure, but also some specific branches, which will be discussed later in the article.

Classical structure of the doctrine

Scientific methodology has a peculiar and rather complex structure, filled with various elements. All the teaching consists of different theoretical and practical ways of understanding the scientific subject. The classical structure of methodology contains in itself only two basic elements. Each of them characterizes a certain aspect of the "development" of a scientific subject. Simply put, the classical structure is based on the practical and theoretical side of the development of methodology in the form of holistic teaching. Hence we can distinguish the following elements:

1. Epistemology, or the theoretical part of the teaching. Its main goal is scientific concepts, which arise only when the logical development of the subject. Epistemology is responsible not just for knowledge, but also for their processing with the goal of "collecting" rational grain. This element is directly connected with the scientific branch itself.

2. The second element is of practical importance. There are no specific theorems and concepts. The basis is an algorithm, a set of ways to achieve a practical goal. It is thanks to the second element that theoretical knowledge can be realized in a real policy due to the principles of practical application that appear in a whole complex of actual actions.

However, the scientific methodology is also subject to other ways of structuring, which indicates the importance of this teaching.

Secondary structure

In addition to the elements presented, a secondary structure is singled out in the system of exercises, which makes it possible to more accurately see the connection of the methodology with the scientific branches that exist today. A conditionally similar structure can be broken down into five components, namely:

- Methodological basis, which, in turn, consists of a number of independent sciences: psychology, philosophy, logic, systemology, ethics and aesthetics.

- The second element allows you to see the forms and features of the activity, as well as its norms and principles.

- The logical structure of the construction is the third element. It includes the subject, object, subject, form and means of realization.

- At certain stages of the actual implementation of the methodology, this process can be divided into phases, stages and stages.

- The fifth element is the technological characteristics of solving specific problems.

Given the fairly complex and branched structure of methodological teaching, we can conclude about its prospects for development in the structure of individual sciences. All existing types of exercises today are formed under the influence of this or that branch. For a complete answer to the question about what a methodology is, one must consider the "vital functions" of this teaching as part of specific scientific knowledge.

Methodological directions

Theory and methodology are inextricably linked concepts. However, this doctrine is found not only in purely scientific branches. There are several main directions in the development of the methodology, among which there are practical branches of human activity, for example:

- Methodology of solving problems in the field of informatics.

- Methodological basis of programming.

- A set of methods and methods of business modeling.

These directions show that the practical method and methodology as a whole Can be used in practice to the fullest. More theoretical directions are the scientific methodology (theme of the article) and biogeocenology (a mixture of biology and geography).

It should be remembered that in the standard form the scientific methodology has certain distinctive features that can be traced on examples of specific branches of science.

Methodology of law

Law is a rather specific scientific branch. It was initially formed as the main regulator of social relations. Therefore, the right directly affects the society. The methodology of cognition of the law and the ways of its realization are quite different. In the first case, we talk about the theoretical interpretation of legal concepts, in the second - about the actual implementation of such concepts in the social plane. Thus, the methodology of law differs duality. If other branches of science speak only of abstract methods of obtaining knowledge, then the law clearly lists the ways of obtaining "legal statements". Simply put, we are talking about specific methods, namely:

1. The scientific method consists of the fundamental principles of the industry or science in general. With its help, it becomes possible to see the essence of a particular problem much deeper, as well as its role and place in the legal policy. Most often, the general scientific method (used in all sectors) and private science (applicable only in law) is singled out.

2. By means of a philosophical method, it becomes possible to study law on the basis of existing ideology of the worldview. In other words, there is a comprehension of the law (legal understanding is developed) through criticism, comparison and characterization of its constituent elements.

3. The special-legal method exists exclusively in the field of law. It is a system of specific methods: normative analysis, comparative law, and so on.

"Applied" methodology in law

It should be noted that the methodology of cognition is not a single set of methods. There are also a number of techniques that are not aimed at knowledge of the industry, but on its actual application. In this case, the value of the method is paramount, because with its help is the implementation of the right. Lawyers identified two main methods:

1. Imperative - the dictates of power existing in the sources of law. Subjects do not have the opportunity to regulate their behavior.

2. Dispositive - is based on equality and independence of the parties, which have the ability to independently make decisions within the framework of legal norms.

Thus, the scientific methodology of law exists not only on the theoretical, but also on the social level, which makes it possible to realize all possible concepts in real life. It is for this reason that law is a socially regulating science. A completely different methodological base can be seen in economics or sociology, because the scope of action is completely different. Let's try to consider these industries taking into account the subject of their study.

The process of cognition in economics

The economic methodology differs significantly from the legal one in that it does not contain practical methods of implementation. Economic theories exist as if beyond the real economy. Science coordinates this area of life, but does not directly affect it. The process of cognition in economic theories is saturated with various methods. Moreover, these methods are used so extensively and deeply that by means of several you can fully understand some of the problems of the scientific branch. At the same time, economic methodology is directed solely towards a positive outcome. In other words, the concepts of scientists in this industry are very often "utopias", which hinders their application in real life.

Economic types of study

In order to answer the question, what is the methodology in the economic field, it is necessary to consider each method of studying separately. As a rule, science distinguishes methods (methods) arising in comparison with natural sciences, namely:

- a method of differentiation and separation of the economy as a separate science;

- method of determining the scientific sphere from the point of view of existing methods;

- a way of fundamental research of the principles of economic theories;

- a method of logical comprehension of economic phenomena for their further foresight;

- a method of developing theoretical knowledge through empirical and philosophical approaches;

- mathematical method;

- a way of correlation and comparison of economic phenomena;

- a historical method for studying the formation and emergence of the economy as a whole.

Also, the methodology of the economic system contains a number of specially-scientific methods used exclusively in the economy. For example, by means of economic modeling, any economic phenomenon can be presented in a simplistic and abstract manner in order to identify its main aspects. Functional analysis, in turn, will help to see the real effectiveness of the properties of a particular scientific aspect. At economic modeling graphs and diagrams are actively used. With their help, you can see the dynamics of an economic phenomenon in a certain period of time or another environment that is of scientific interest.

The most risky, but at the same time, effective method is the economic experiment. It helps to see the real effect of the economic phenomenon, but it is almost impossible to predict the results. Thus, the economic experiment is a rather dangerous method of studying science.

The subject of knowledge in sociology

If throughout the entire article methods and methods of studying and applying knowledge in specific fields were considered, then sociological science is "beautiful" in that it develops theoretical knowledge for the most part. Social methodology, or rather, the totality of methods of this industry, directly depends on the subject of its study. According to many scientists, sociology is the science of society and the processes that arise in it. This definition shows the subject of science, which is actually the object of the action of its methods.

It follows that the methodology and methods of social science research have evolved because of its close relationship with cultural studies, psychology, anthropology and other humanitarian disciplines. Thus, the subject is an important aspect, which predetermined the emergence of a whole array of ways of obtaining fundamental knowledge of this industry.

Sociological methods

As it was mentioned earlier, the basis of the sociological methodology is the methods of empirical orientation. That is, with the help of which theoretical knowledge is developed. With the help of sociological methods, theoretical and quantitative concepts are derived. Each of these species appears due to the use of individual methods of study. One can single out a number of the most standard, to be exact, popular methods of study used today:

1. Observation is the most classical method encountered in a large number of sciences. Using it, you can capture information by visualization. There are many ways to observe, depending on the information of the object, the purpose of the method, the angle of study of the social group, and so on.

2. As for the experiment , information is obtained here by introducing an indicator into a certain environment in order to further monitor the process of its change. For today, the experiment is one of the most effective methods of cognition in any existing science.

3. Many social phenomena become clear after conducting a survey of a single social group. This procedure can be performed either verbally or in writing. To date, the survey is one of the most effective ways in the science of sociology.

4. Analysis of documents is a whole set of methods, including the study of the press, pictures, the press, the media, etc. Thus, the methodology of analysis has its own system, and it also allows us to derive certain sociological patterns based on trends that prevail in society Within a certain time frame.

Conclusion

So, in the article the author tried to answer the question, what is the methodology. Various variations of this concept were presented in the context of different branches of science. It should be noted that the development of methodology as a separate additional knowledge will influence the evolution of ways of obtaining practical and theoretical concepts in all existing sciences today.