COMPETENCE-BASED APPROACH TO TOPIC SELECTION AND CONTENT JUSTIFICATION FOR RESEARCH STUDENT GRADUATION PAPER

This article presents a methodology for the selection and justification of the content for a research student’s graduation (qualification) paper using the competence-based approach. An algorithm is provided for topic selection and content justification for a research student’s graduation paper. The algorithm consists of four functional process blocks: a problem one, a criteria-based one, a resource one and an expertise one. In the problem block the processes of contradictions disclosure, the problem justification and verbalisation, topic relevance are considered. The criterion block provides the criteria for graduation paper topic and content selection, where alongside with the generally accepted criteria (novelty, a theoretical significance, a practical output) a new and the most important criterion is given: demonstration of a researcher’s professional competence cluster formation. In the resource block the resources to ensure the success of a student’s graduate paper are analysed: information, methodological and logistical resources, possibilities for experiments and testing, time resources for its execution. Expert block provides the graduation paper discussion procedures at the Department and its approval by the Academic Board.

research students, professional competences, graduation paper, topic selection, selection criteria