Building search and analytical competences of master’s students for scientific reviewing

Abstract

Today, scientific reviewing is not the area of strength of Russian researchers. In many ways, it is due to the lack of research competences taught to the graduate students, and, in particular, search and analytical competences that correspond to the active-operational component of the competence. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors have developed and tested an approach to selecting publications for scientific reviewing. The approach comprises five steps: selecting the starting sample, its expansion, truncation, analysis, and final selection. The pedagogical experiment accomplished with the small groups demonstrated significant increase in the level of research competences in the master’s students who took the specialized course Science Communication based on the above approach. The course resulted in increased competences essential for effective search and analysis of scientific information. Further implementation of the method will improve the educational environment for building research competences in graduate students.