Characteristics of the phenomenon “research activities of PHD students”

The problem of effectiveness increase of preparing PhD students for successful independent research activities becomes particularly relevant in modern conditions, which is caused by the growing need of developing industry, changes in all spheres of society, including the field of education. One of the main tasks of the educational process in postgraduate school is to prepare students for independent research activities. The article defines the essence and content of the basic concepts of the study. Studying the problem posed we analyzed the literature, synthesized the existing scientific knowledge, reflected on the philosophical and pedagogical provisions to determine the essence of the phenomenon under study. The result of this work is the presentation of the phenomenon “research activities of students in postgraduate school” as a special kind of cognitive activity carried out in the educational process of the university and aimed at studying various objects to obtain new knowledge for transforming the surrounding reality; and the activation of the researcher - position in students through the development of skills to use methods, tools, research procedures for ensuring high results of future research activities. The objectives, functions of this activity and its difference from other levels of education (Bachelor, Master) were also identified. The novelty of the research is in denoting the characteristics of the phenomenon under study (goals, objectives, functions, species). The reviewed provisions can be the basis for practicing educators to implement postgraduate higher education programmes.