Article Type: Research Article Article Citation: Dr. Jorge Daher Nader, Dr. Amelia Patricia
Panunzio, and Dr. Marlene Hernández Navarro. (2020). PROPOSAL OF A MODEL FOR
STRENGTHENING SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTIVITY AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL. International
Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(9), 415-421. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i9.2020.1677 Received Date: 15 September 2020 Accepted Date: 30 September 2020 Keywords: Research Strengthening Scientific Production The proposal to strengthen scientific production at the university level has dimensions, components and characteristics and a structure designed based on the theoretical contributions of this research and the results obtained in each objective addressed, considering that scientific research is an indicator of the quality of the processes in the university environment, so it must be increased by virtue of the results of the work carried out by the research professors and students.
1. INTRODUCTIONScientific production is an indicator of the quality of processes in the
university environment, so it must be increased by virtue of the results of the
work carried out by research teachers and students. A projective descriptive
research is planned with the general objective of proposing a model for the
strengthening of scientific production in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of
the University of Guayaquil. The specific objectives that will allow the
proposal will be, the characterization of the university management in research,
the analysis of the scientific production in the period 2017-2019, the
identification of the perception of the users regarding the scientific
production, which together it will allow to establish the strategies to propose
the strengthening model in this area. Theoretical and empirical methods will be
used, within the former: deductive and within the latter: observation,
interview, survey and questionnaire. The development of a model for the
strengthening of scientific production within Research Management is proposed
as a way to establish mechanisms for the dissemination of researchers' results. 2. METHODOLOGY
This research work is of the following type: Projective: it consists in the
elaboration of a proposal or a model, as a solution to a problem or practical
need. (Hurtado. 2012) Descriptive: a characterization of the research management of the
FCM-UG will be carried out, the PC will be analyzed and the perception of
teachers, students, authorities and graduates will be identified in relation to
the aspects that could influence said indicator. (Hernández, 2014) Quantitative: It serves as statistical tests that support the study
of the problem through the analysis of data, which are collected in numerical
quantities. . (Hernández, 2014) TROUBLE: To measure the educational quality of a university, the key point is the
process, that is, the phases and components of university activity and the
elements that intervene in it; The result focuses on the mission and vision of
said institution and is achieved in terms of training professionals,
scientists; and advances in research and not less important, although more
difficult to measure, the benefits obtained for society (Vallejo, 1992). In the
CEAACES evaluation model, research is included as one of the most important
processes within university management. An evaluation was carried out at the
University of Guayaquil in 2013, being evaluated in category “D”. The
scientific production of the FCM was 2%, it ranked last in all the criteria,
and it did not meet the requirements for accreditation, due to the tiny
percentage that was maintained. Low number of FCI Projects and Non-existence of
research groups Lack of articulation of teaching, research and extension.
Insufficient number of publications in regional and SCOPUS magazines.
Insufficient training in research methodology and scientific writing. Lack of
national and / or international inter-institutional networks. Scarce research
funds in National and Regional calls Lack of scholarships and current research
contracts For the elaboration of the proposal of a model to raise the scientific
production at the university level, the contribution obtained from the analysis
and discussion of the results of each proposed objective was taken into
consideration, as well as the theoretical postulates reviewed in the consulted
bibliography. The methodological triangulation of the results of the applied
instruments made it possible to define the arguments and the fundamental
elements to take into account in the design of the model. The model taken as
theoretical support in this research is the one proposed by Travieso (2012).
This model includes three important elements that may be common to the model
proposed in this research, they are: degree of contextualization of the
analyzed problem, establishment of the relationships between the components
that make up the model, and individual conceptions of the interwoven actors. The proposal to strengthen the scientific production in the FCM-UG has
dimensions, components and characteristics and a structure designed from the
theoretical contributions of this research and the results obtained in each
objective addressed. Political dimension of the model:
Research was not part of the study programs, in the
eighties the CONUEP was created, a more popular conception of such institutions
began to be created and, Therefore, a small percentage dedicated to research is
established in the PGE, so that research activities are conceived as part of
academic management in the country's HEIs, a situation that required, above
all, a redirection of the policies and strategies outlined by the universities
and polytechnic centers, as well as a transformation of the infrastructure
according to the new demands. The impact of scientific research and technological
development on the economic progress of countries is well recognized (King,
2004, Solarin and Yen, 2016). The study of scientific results in the form of
publications is essential because it allows a diagnosis of institutional or
national capacity (Inglesi-Lotz and Pouris, 2011; Pouris, 2012). This
information is useful for decision-makers, who use it to design, adjust,
generate and implement public policies aimed at increasing the production and
quality of scientific research (Heitor et al, 2014). The little scientific
research that is carried out in Ecuador is carried out in HEIs, in national
research institutes financed with public funds, the government has promoted the
increase of scientific production through the implementation of laws, improvements
in universities, creation of scientific and technological transfer programs and
the provision of funds to finance inter-institutional scientific research
projects at the national and international level (Medina and others, 2016).
Despite this, the UG being a public entity is influenced by the limited
resources allocated to scientific research, through the VIGYP in which there is
no established and systematic budget that supports the investigative processes.
Scientific production in many cases is affected by this indicator. When
analyzing the objectives of this research, the results were obtained that
research management is becoming in recent years a topic of special relevance,
both due to budget cuts and the growing demands for efficiency in research
processes Methodological dimension of the Model: In accordance with the
conceptual and theoretical bases of this research and the results obtained,
this dimension focuses on establishing efficient research management in which
its actors carry out a scientific activity that causes an improvement in scientific
production in the FCM. From the results obtained, it is evident that to develop an efficient
university management, factors such as resources, processes and results must be
taken into account that must be at the service and contribute positively to the
development of teaching, research, and community service. The teacher plays a very important role in the productivity and development
of the research hotbeds, he must be able to build academic knowledge through
research. Formative research coupled with research hotbeds promotes autonomous,
creative learning, l. (Villalba Cuéllar JC and González Serrano A, 2018)
Projects are a way to develop competencies in students as well as investigative
skills such as: planning, organizing and carrying out a common task in real
environments. Thus, they are organized into work teams, assume individual and
group responsibilities, carry out inquiries or investigations, solve. (Arias
Sandoval L, 2017). Based on the analysis of the theoretical bases and the results obtained,
the following pedagogical and methodological requirements are raised that
support the proposal: (Dáher, 2020) ·
Knowledge of teachers and students in research
methodology and scientific writing ·
Participation of teachers and students in research
projects ·
Existence of scientific societies ·
Existence of research groups ·
Distribution of financial resources for scientific
research ·
Formalization of spaces that promote scientific
production from the curricular point of view, which continuously facilitate the
progress of student learning ·
Transfer of knowledge in the form of research reports,
guidelines, or ways of action or solution. 3. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MODEL
1)
It has a systemic character, establishes the inter and
intradependence of all its components to achieve the effectiveness of
scientific activity. In a system all its elements must be ordered and
integrated and work in a way that generates synergy, which means the result of
teamwork where the elements interact with each other in order to achieve some
objective. The result obtained is greater than if the result of each of the
members is analyzed separately, (Domínguez Ríos, 2016) 2)
It is comprehensive. The research activity is
configured not only from the point of view of human resources, but also from
the main lines of national, regional, local and university research, the
various institutionalized forms of organization of the academic, scientific and
technological space must be taken into account To carry out the research, the
strategic vision of the research groups and intangible values
such as material and financial resources, equipment and
information (Jara, 2011) A component of the model alone does not achieve an
effective result, its integration is required and systematic and organized
synchronization. 3)
Broad vision of material resources, essential to
develop research as a quality object in the educational context, since it not
only locates the analysis of the components of the research process, but also
extends its conception to infrastructure, programs, study plans. STRUCTURE OF THE MODEL: Based on these characteristics, the theoretical
bases and the results obtained in the present investigation, necessary elements
were considered to conceive an adequate functioning and relevance of the proposed
model. Taking into account the analyzed theoretical provisions (related to
research management, Oñate (2016) “individual and organizational knowledge.”
The first involves both knowledge and skills and attitudes, made up of
knowledge itself and skills and the second is one that has been expressly
converted into rules, procedures, strategies, resources, plans, programs and
research projects, strategic alliances, models, scholarships, research groups,
among others, it was determined that the components of the model are: personal
and procedural. Personal components: Based on the results that were obtained, a
fundamental element in university scientific production is related to teachers
and students as the main actors in the university community. When analyzing the
perception of teachers and students, it was found that there are weaknesses in
the development of capacities of students to present projects in instances of
calls; few training related to project development, little participation in
scientific dissemination events; little use of scientific articles by teachers
in their chairs; as well as the need for greater emphasis on teaching the
scientific method. The analysis of the objective related to the perception of teachers and
students allowed to corroborate that both have a great implication in the
progress of research in the university, although they are formed, the processes
correctly if teachers and students do not maintain a positive attitude towards
the Scientific research would be of no use. Both components are essential for
the execution of a quality scientific activity However, it is conceived as novel in the proposal to see them in the same
dimension from the point of view of how both should assume scientific research,
of course the teacher always from his guiding function with greater knowledge
and guidance of the students. It is about understanding the teacher and the
student at the same level of involvement for the development of the scientific
research process in the university from a more integrating edge of the
phenomenon itself and in turn of each one separately. Both personal components
presuppose elements that constitute common premises for scientific research
such as: knowledge in research methodology and writing scientific articles, motivation
towards scientific research, time available for this activity, participation in
research projects, among others. In this sense, the preparation in research
methodology of both is a significant indicator in the development of scientific
production. (Daher, 2020) Procedural components: According to Oñate (2016), the process is
essential to achieve an optimal result. The process is specified in rules,
procedures, strategies, resources, plans, programs and research projects,
strategic alliances, scholarships, research groups, among others, which can be
shared by the members of the organization. According to the results obtained specifically in
objective one where university management for research is characterized, for
the indicators of each of the respective sub-dimensions: planning, execution
and control and evaluation according to the opinion of the managers. It is
shown that in the FCM there is operation of the rules that govern the
investigation, although if they are established, there is bureaucracy in
monitoring the processes investigative in the superior instances of the
University. Rojas (2016) argues that in management by university processes,
research plays a fundamental role if one takes into account that the humanistic
and scientific progress of society depends on it. This must be pertinent and
with a maximum pragmatic sense. It should be a permanent policy of the
universities to develop an optimal investigative process based on the
principles of ethics and humanism and that results in proposals that generate
solutions to the social problems present in each context By this category is understood what is related to the management of
research processes, all the means, methods and procedures used in the taxable
university. It should be taken into account: the academic actions that from the
curricular and methodological level enhance and encourage research in teachers
and students. These actions are framed in: designing study plans and programs
where the research component is evidenced, either as part of the curriculum or
as a cross-cutting axis to it, promoting the teaching pyramid by feeding the
degree work with seed projects from the first years of the degree, apply the
investigative method in classes, revitalize teaching with the use of scientific
articles as a way to address the content. The model reflects the close relationship between each of the components.
They are shown as dependent entities for the advancement of scientific
production at the university. None above another, but as a whole. Within the procedural components are defined: project financing,
scholarship management, operation of research groups, distribution of
resources, existence of strategic alliances, and technological infrastructure.
The harmonious, geared and integrating operation of all the components of the
model in a single system, leads to an end that is to achieve quality higher
education from research, teaching, and transfer of knowledge according to
social needs The interdependence between the components can also be valued from the
following premises: ·
The quality of the research depends among other
factors on the quality of the preparation of teachers and students. (Criollo,
and Fontaines, 2017) ·
Students can become more and more empowered by
research if teachers make it a daily practice in their classes. Castro, Sihuay
and Pérez, 2016) ·
A planned and systematic management will allow
correcting in time the imperfections present in the research process (Oñate and
Urdaneta, 2016,) and therefore strategies that facilitate the management of the
research in the FCM can be drawn up. The model is composed of the center (PC), a 1st circle (the 3 fundamental
components that determine the PC according to the author's criteria are:
teachers, students and research management), a 2nd circle (the elements of the
model according to each component) and a 3rd circle (the end of the model). The
different parts of the model are detailed below; For this we will start from
the center towards the periphery. In a 2nd circle the elements are represented according to the personal and
procedural components of the model. In the case of teachers: knowledge of
research methodology and scientific writing, participation in research groups,
scientific societies and research projects. The 3rd circle reflects three great university processes in which the
research that they are is framed. Research itself, teaching and knowledge
transfer, also known as knowledge management in connection with the community,
all contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality processes of HEIs. Proposal of the model to
strengthen scientific production at the university level Made Daher, 2020 4. RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the theoretical sources that have been systematized through this
research and the results obtained in it, a series of recommendations are
offered to the directors and academic body of the Faculty of Medical Sciences
of the University of Guayaquil to improve scientific activity. ·
Institutional support for research activities and
maintaining a balance between its basic functions. ·
Increase the preparation of teachers and students in
research methodology and other related branches. ·
Promote the formation of research groups at the intra
and inter-institutional level. ·
Join cooperation networks with other universities,
organizations or institutions in the region and the country. ·
Incorporate in the curriculum in a systematic way,
activities that promote scientific research at the student level. Control your
execution ·
Update the lines of research according to social
needs, fostering the faculty activities for the definition of lines, programs
and research projects based on the development of knowledge and the demands of
society ·
Promote academic events of continuing education such
as courses, congresses, panels, seminars, forums, workshops of inflection,
reflection and intervention or other types of events that promote and tax
academic exchange and stimulate the training of teachers and students. ·
Promote postgraduate studies (specialties, masters and
doctorates) with scholarships managed by the Ministry of Public Health MSP. to
the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security IESS, to the National Secretary of
Higher Education, Science and Technology SENECYT, etc. or self-financed based
on institutional research lines as a way to obtain financial resources to
strengthen the infrastructure and technological equipment of the laboratories,
especially the Centers of Excellence of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the
University of Guayaquil. ·
Manage external financial support for the training of
human resources and the carrying out of research activities. ·
Incorporate research activities into the university
curriculum and in turn carry out actions to control compliance. ·
Formulate research projects related to teaching
according to the needs detected. ·
Encourage students' degree work to pay tribute to
research projects and obviously to research lines. ·
Encourage outstanding teachers and students in
research. SOURCES OF FUNDINGThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. CONFLICT OF INTERESTThe author have declared that no competing interests exist. ACKNOWLEDGMENTNone. REFERENCES
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