Philosophical terminology refers to the tools and means to discover new phenomena and things in research, or to put forward new theories and viewpoints and reveal the inherent laws of things.
Classification of research methods
1, survey method
Investigation is one of the most commonly used methods in scientific research. It is a purposeful, planned and systematic method to collect materials about the actual situation or historical situation of the research object.
Investigation is a basic research method commonly used in scientific research. It comprehensively uses historical methods, observation methods and scientific methods, such as talks, questionnaires, case studies, tests, etc., to have a planned, thorough and systematic understanding of educational phenomena, and to analyze, synthesize, compare and summarize a large number of data collected through investigation, thus providing people with regular knowledge.
Questionnaire survey is the most commonly used survey method, and it is a research method to collect data in the form of written questions, that is, investigators prepare forms for survey items, distribute or mail them to relevant personnel, ask for instructions to fill in answers, and then recycle, sort out, count and study them.
2. Observation method
Observation method refers to a method in which researchers use their own senses and auxiliary tools to directly observe the research object according to a certain research purpose, research outline or observation table, so as to obtain information. Scientific observation is purposeful, planned, systematic and repeatable.
In scientific experiments and investigations, observation has the following functions: ① Expanding people's perceptual knowledge. 2 inspire people's thinking. (3) lead to new discoveries.
3. Experimental method
Experimental method is a scientific research method to discover and confirm the causal relationship between things by changing the main branch and controlling the research object.
Its main characteristics are: first, initiative and innovation. Observation and investigation is to understand the research object and find out the problems without disturbing the research object. However, experiments need to actively manipulate experimental conditions, artificially change the existing mode and changing process of objects, and make them obey the needs of scientific understanding.
Second, control. Scientific experiments require that according to the needs of research, with the help of various methods and technologies, the interference of various irrelevant factors that may affect science can be reduced or eliminated, so that the research object can be understood in a simplified and purified state. Third, causality. Experiment is an effective tool and necessary way to discover and confirm the causal relationship between things.
3. Literature research method (literature retrieval method)
Literature research method is a method to obtain information by investigating literature according to certain research purposes or topics, so as to comprehensively and correctly understand and master the problems to be studied. Literature research methods are widely used in various disciplines.
Its functions are as follows: ① It can understand the history and present situation of related problems and help to determine the research topic. ② It can form an overall impression of the research object, which is helpful for observation and visit. ③ Contrast data of real data can be obtained. (4) help to understand the whole picture of things.
4. Empirical research methods
Empirical research method is a special form of scientific practice research. According to the needs of the existing scientific theory and practice, it puts forward the design, uses scientific instruments and equipment, observes, records and measures the changes of accompanying phenomena, and manipulates purposefully and step by step under natural conditions to determine the causal relationship between conditions and phenomena.
The main purpose is to explain the relationship between various independent variables and a dependent variable.
5. Quantitative analysis method
In scientific research, quantitative analysis can make people know the research object more accurately, so as to reveal the law more scientifically, grasp the essence, clarify the relationship and predict the development trend of things.
6. Qualitative analysis method
Qualitative analysis is the qualitative analysis of the research object. Specifically, the method of induction and deduction, analysis, synthesis and abstract generalization is used to process the obtained materials, so as to get rid of the rough, get rid of the false and keep the true, understand the essence of things and reveal their internal laws.
7. Interdisciplinary research methods
The method of using multidisciplinary theories, methods and achievements to conduct a comprehensive study of a subject as a whole is also called "cross-study method". The law of scientific development movement shows that science is highly integrated in high differentiation and forms a unified whole.
According to the statistics of relevant experts, there are more than 2,000 disciplines in the world, and the trend of differentiation between disciplines is still intensifying. At the same time, the links between disciplines are getting closer and closer, and there is a unified trend in language, methods and some concepts.
8. Case study method
Case study method is a research method to identify a specific object among the research objects, investigate and analyze it, and find out its characteristics and formation process.
There are three basic types of case studies: (1) personal investigation, that is, investigation and study of a person in an organization; (2) Group investigation, that is, investigation and study of an organization or group; (3) problem investigation, that is, to investigate and study a phenomenon or problem.
9. Functional analysis method
Functional analysis is a method used by social science to analyze social phenomena, and it is also one of the commonly used analytical methods in social investigation. It explains social phenomena by explaining how social phenomena meet the needs of a social system (that is, what functions they have).
10, quantitative research method
Quantitative research method, also known as "statistical analysis method" and "quantitative analysis method", refers to a research method to understand and reveal the interrelationship, changing law and development trend of things through the analysis of the quantitative relationship of the scale, speed, scope and degree of the research object, so as to achieve the correct explanation and prediction of things.
1 1, simulation method (model method)
Simulation method is to create a similar model according to the main characteristics of the prototype, and then indirectly study the description method of the prototype through the model. According to the similarity between model and prototype, simulation methods can be divided into physical simulation and mathematical simulation.
12, exploratory research method
Exploratory research is a high-level scientific research activity. It uses known information to explore and create new knowledge and produce novel and unique results or products.
13, information research methods
Information research method is a scientific research method using the functions of information research system. Weiner, an American mathematics, communication engineer and physiologist, believes that there is a universal connection in the objective world, that is, information connection.
At present, in the new era of "information revolution", there are a lot of information resources that can be developed and utilized. According to the principles of information theory, system theory and cybernetics, information theory method obtains knowledge through information collection, transmission, processing and sorting, and applies it to practice to achieve new goals.
Information method is a new scientific research method, which uses the function of information research system to reveal the deeper laws of things and help people improve and master the ability to use the laws.
14, experience summary method
Experience summary method is a method to make it systematic and theoretical by summarizing and analyzing the specific situation in practical activities, and to rise to experience. Summarizing and popularizing advanced experience is one of the more effective leadership methods used for a long time in human history.
15, descriptive research method
Descriptive research method is a simple research method, which describes and explains the existing phenomena, laws and theories through its own understanding and verification. It is a general description of various theories, and more is to explain other people's arguments, but it is essential in scientific research.
You can ask questions, reveal disadvantages, describe phenomena and introduce experiences, which is conducive to popularization. There are many examples and investigations that reveal various situations. A description of the actual problem; There are also views on some status quo.
16, mathematical method
Mathematical method is to use mathematical tools to process a series of quantities of the research object without abandoning all other characteristics of the research object, so as to make correct explanations and judgments and get the results expressed in digital form.
The object of scientific research is the unity of quality and quantity. Their quality and quantity are closely related, and qualitative change and quantitative change restrict each other. To achieve a real scientific understanding, we should not only study the qualitative stipulation, but also pay attention to the investigation and analysis of their quantity, so as to understand the essential characteristics of the research object more accurately. Mathematical methods mainly include statistical processing and fuzzy mathematical analysis.
17, thinking method
Thinking method is an important tool for people to think correctly and express their thoughts accurately. The most commonly used scientific thinking methods in scientific research include induction and deduction, analogical reasoning, abstract generalization, speculative imagination, analysis and synthesis, etc. It has universal guiding significance for all scientific research.
18, system science method
In the 20th century, the rapid development of horizontal science such as system theory, cybernetics and information theory provided powerful means for the development of comprehensive thinking mode and the improvement of scientific research methods.
The system science method represented by system theory method, cybernetics method and information theory method provides a powerful subjective means for human scientific understanding. It not only breaks through the limitations of traditional methods, but also profoundly changes the system of scientific methodology.
These new methods can be used not only as empirical methods, as methods to obtain perceptual materials, but also as theoretical methods to analyze the rise of perceptual materials to rational knowledge, and the latter plays a more obvious role than the former. They are suitable for all stages of scientific understanding, so we call them systematic scientific methods.
Extended data
Research method function
In a sense, what kind of research methods there are, what kind of scientific research there is. If induction produces classical science and hypothesis deduction produces relativity, then systematic method produces complex science, just like manual shovel represents agricultural society, steam engine represents capitalist society and computer represents information society.
Research methods play an important role in social progress, discipline construction and academic norms.
(1) is conducive to promoting social progress and social development.
Liang Qichao believed that Newton's law of universal gravitation and Watt's invention of the steam engine were all related to Bacon's induction. He pointed out that there are many differences between modern society and ancient society and medieval society, but one obvious difference is the innovation of scientific research methods, which has become the basis of progress in the fields of morality, politics, technology and utensils.
Scientific research method is not only a pure rational thinking, but also beneficial to scientific progress and the national economy and people's livelihood. Therefore, it was imperative for China at that time to absorb western research methods and promote the reform of scientific research methods. From the history of modern natural science development, we can also see the important role of research methods.
The scientific experimental methods advocated by Galileo, Bacon and other scientists not only laid a solid foundation for modern natural science, but also won the fierce struggle between natural science and religious theology and empirical philosophy.
From Copernicus' astronomical revolution in16th century to the perfection of Newton's classical mechanics at the end of17th century, natural science based on scientific experiments has become a knowledge system for people to quantitatively express natural laws and rules.
Most importantly, it changed people's views on science and nature, led to the combination of science and industry, and led to the first industrial revolution in human history.
(2) It is conducive to the sustainable development of various disciplines.
The quality of research methods and their application level directly affect the effectiveness, efficiency and benefit of scientific research. Many scientists attach great importance to the scientific discussion of research methods, and even think that all theoretical discussions can be attributed to the scientific discussion of their research methods.
To some extent, the perfection of research methods in a particular discipline marks the perfection of the discipline. For example, the development of economic theory is inseparable from the continuous innovation of economic research methods.
With the help of mathematical methods, the description of economic norms in economics is clearer, more accurate and more logical; Behavioral economics has become a very important branch of economics through the use of sampling surveys and conversations.
Since classical economics, the development of astronomy, mechanics, physics and other disciplines has had a profound impact on the development of economics. The development of information science also depends on the research methods and achievements in the fields of mathematics, computer science, cognitive science, economics, psychology, etc., which makes its research content broader and the angle of research deeper.
Nowadays, the development of science is showing a mixed and comprehensive development trend, and the intersection and integration between disciplines are strengthening day by day. One of the important aspects is the mutual reference and promotion of research methods. The innovation of research methods will provide a strong guarantee for the theoretical development of various disciplines, and it also depends on the guidance of theories.
(3) It is conducive to the formation of academic norms.
Academic norms are some basic procedures, methods and requirements that researchers should follow in the process of scientific research. They are formed in long-term scientific activities and are constantly improved in the dynamic process.
Research methods are some basic means, ways and rules used by people in solving scientific problems, which is of great significance to the formation and perfection of academic norms.
The experimental method, inductive method and empirical method in natural science research methods all need strict demonstration process and test of conclusions, which is a correct explanation of natural laws, which requires researchers to have a spirit of "seeking truth" and "equality".
Materialist dialectics adheres to the principle of seeking truth from facts and proceeding from reality, and requires scientific researchers to have a holistic and changing vision and a "critical" spirit. The research method of humanism requires paying attention to human life and rights and affirming human value, which is helpful to cultivate the subjectivity, originality and independence of scientific researchers and their "independence" spirit.
Research methods can also promote the "equality" norm in academic debates and the "unity of quantity" in academic comments. These are all important parts of academic norms. We should strive to apply research methods to scientific research, and pay attention to transforming the positive spirit contained in research methods into the norms of scientific research.
Expanding Data Sources: Research Methods of Baidu Encyclopedia