SPECIAL METHODS IN THE STUDY OF LEGAL PHENOMENA

Abstract

The article examines the general and special methods used in the study of legal phenomena.The purpose of the research is to clarify the essence and specifics of applying methodological tools in legal science and to determine their role in obtaining objective and scientifically grounded knowledge about the functioning of law. The article outlines the concept of research methodology and presents approaches to the classification of methods, emphasizing the relationship between general scientific and special methods.Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the formal-legal method, the comparative-legal method, legal modeling, socio-legal experimentation, and the statistical method. It is emphasized that special methods serve as an essential instrument for interpreting legal processes, identifying their internal patterns, and ensuring a deeper understanding of legal reality. The paper highlights the importance of the systemic approach and the interdisciplinary nature of legal research, which enable the consideration of law as a complex social system.The article substantiates the relevance of applying the statistical method in the study of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, as this method makes it possible to identify trends in the border sphere, assess the effectiveness of legal practice, and support evidence-based decision making. Additionally, the potential of content analysis as an auxiliary method for conducting quantitative and qualitative examination of legal documents is outlined. It is concluded that the combination of special methods significantly enhances the scientific quality, reliability, and depth of legal research.