Methodology of The Initial Stage of The Preparation of The Master’s Thesis on Criminal Law

¹ Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after V.Ya. Kikotya, Department of Criminal Law, Moscow, Russia
² Federal Budgetary Institution of Scientific Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service, Research Center (SIC), Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: pam7185@ya.ru

Abstract

The modern legal system of any state imposes high requirements to specialists in this field, primarily related to the use of large amounts of information in the work. In this regard, the scientific work of students, aimed at forming the need for research activities, becomes particularly relevant. One of its final stages is the preparation of a master’s thesis. Scientific and pedagogical experience of the authors allows stating that the majority of applicants face difficulties in choosing and justifying the topic of the research. The article considers methodological approaches to determining the boundaries and the volume of study of the material, its generalization, and formulation of the title of the thesis. The mechanisms of determination of social conditionality, elaboration, object, and subject of the forthcoming dissertation on criminal law are investigated. The objectives are to pro-vide the reader with an accessible mechanism for selecting the topic of scientific work, justifying its relevance, methodology, and setting goals and objectives. Results of work are expressed in the identification of methodological problems that arise in the course of writing the master’s thesis, as well as recommendations on the organization of the initial stage of the thesis preparation.