Formation of science and research competence of future engineers in higher technical educational institutions

Abstract

The professional activity of an engineer is connected with the necessity to perform research tasks in the field of industrial production, which makes relevant the problem of formation of the skills for science and research activity (SRA) in the training process in higher technical educational institutions. The aim of the article is to investigate the effects of the proposed method of organisation of research activity of future engineers on the formation of their science and research competence. The observation, questionnaire, survey and interview are the methods used in the research. The research demonstrated a positive impact of the designed conditions of training of future engineers on the formation of their science and research competence. These conditions are: formation of motives of research activity, acquisition of relevant knowledge of scientific research methodology, involvement of engineering students in university scientific communities (scientific schools, scientific clubs, problem laboratories), and acquisition of experience of SRA. The research’s novelty lies in the exclusive focus of the developed methodology on future engineers of shipbuilding industry. The proposed method of formation of science and research competence of future engineers can also be applied for the students of human sciences. Subsequent investigations of the stated problem could be directed towards the influence of SRA on other aspects of training of future specialists such as motivation to study and the level of professional skills.