Formation of Research Competence of Future Masters of Aviation Transport

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of the formation of research competency of future aviation transport masters. It has been established that research activity is an important component of the educational process of training future aviation specialists, which ensures the effective implementation of the graduates' integral competency in specific professional situations, and the independent implementation of individual technological solutions and projects. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, it is proved that research activity is considered to be the highest form of independent education. On the one hand, such education takes the form of scientific forecasting (the student himself sets a goal and looks for ways to achieve it). On the other hand, it contributes to the individualisation of the learning process. Competency as a quality of a person is closely related to the research activity of a future specialist since it is formed thanks to awareness, skills, the process of gaining knowledge and certain experience. Students' researching activity lays the foundation for research competency. According to the author of the article, research competency of future transport aviation masters is an integral skill to take a position on professional tasks, which ensures the ability to freely navigate in the scientific and information space, perceive new information, critically evaluate it, analyse and apply it in their professional life; the ability to carry out research activities productively, as well as to record and present research results in the form of scientific reports and articles. To determine the current level of knowledge, abilities and skills that ensure the effectiveness of research competency and readiness for research work, a survey was conducted among the students of the second level of higher education in the specialty ″Aviation Transport″ at the beginning of the academic year. The results of the survey indicated the objective need to develop not only individual research skills, but also the research competency of the future aviation specialist as an integrative quality that determines the ability to use research knowledge and skills to solve professional problems and master the methodology of scientific research. The analysis of psychological-pedagogical literature and dissertation studies allows us to distinguish the following components in the structure of research competency: motivational-value, cognitive, procedural-active, and evaluative-reflective. The conducted studies have shown the need for the formation of research competency among aviation transport masters, and that it is an important component of professional competency as an integrative quality of an aviation specialist. Key words: research competence, master of aviation transport, research activity, professional education, professional activity.