Vera Elagina

The organization of research activities in the military University actualized the need to identify pedagogical conditions that would contribute to the development and self-development of cadets. One of these conditions, in our opinion, is the creation of an educational research environment at the University. Creative research environment should be focused on the development of initiative and independence of each cadet involved in research and experimental activities. The purpose of this study is to theoretically substantiate the need to create an educational research creative environment, in the conditions of which the cadets of the military University acquire research skills, master research methods of learning educational and cognitive information, communication skills, business relations, methodological culture. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a set of interrelated methodological approaches: personality-oriented approach, the essence of which is determined by the philosophy of individual choice of a person's professional path; axiological approach as a necessary condition for the development and self-development of a person; individual-creative approach, allowing each cadet to realize himself as a developing, creative person; activity approach, creating conditions in which the active research and cognitive activity of cadets is a means of their development. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the fact that the authors analyzed and summarized the main theoretical approaches to the creation of the educational environment in educational organizations, including military universities, in the process of organizing research activities of cadets. The practical significance of the research results lies in the fact that the authors propose the algorithm of modeling and designing the research environment of the military University, where the research activity of cadets is organized and carried out. The work may be useful for academic staff of military educational organizations, teachers-researchers dealing with the problem of identifying the pedagogical conditions for the organization of research activities of students, one of which is the creation of an educational research environment in a military University, contributing to the development and self-development of cadets’ personality.

The relevance of the study of research skills formation among military cadets is explained by the increase in the requirements for the level of their military professional training, which is characterized not only by deep theoretical knowledge, but also by the ability to use this knowledge for solving military problems by means of research. A cadet must develop research qualities and skills, be able to generate new ideas, apply the methodology of scientific research and organization of experimental work, methods and means of theoretical and empirical research at the stage of University training already. The results of our ascertaining experiment showed a rather low level of cadets ' general learning and research skills. In addition, about half of the surveyed cadets are not interested in research activities and are not going to be engaged in this type of activity either during the years of study in a military University or after graduation. The article analyzes the role and importance of research skills for military-professional activities of future officers; discusses different approaches to the definition of concepts "skill", "general learning skills", "research skills", and provides different approaches to their classification. The article clarifies the definition of "research skills" concept in relation to the specifics of military training; identifies groups of skills (information and communication, theoretical-methodological and theoretical-empirical skills), formed in the process of training and research activities of cadets; considers the method of gradual formation of learning and research skills in the classroom and during extracurricular activities. Practice has shown that the gradual organization of cadets’ research activities in the military University contributes to the formation and development of learning and research skills, creativity, initiatives of future officers, the development of their cognitive interest and positive motivation. The formation and development of research skills is going on effectively, if you provide certain pedagogical conditions: development of cadets ' positive motivation, cognitive and professional interest in research; creation of an educational research environment in the University; launching research projects together with the teachers of the University; consideration of the specific features of military specialists professional training; orientation of research projects on the problems of cadets’ military professional activity; the high level of their learning and intellectual skills.