El catedrático como investigador científico en el Ecuador

The university professor as a scientific researcher in Ecuador

MSc, Valle Navarro Carlos Ernesto

carlos.vallen@ug.edu.ec

MSc, Jorge Tapia Celi

jorge.tapiac@ug.edu.ec

MSc, Nadia Mercedes Mendieta Villalba

nadia.mendietav@ug.edu.ec

MSc, Adrián Cucalón Perla Guadalupe

adrian.perlag@ug.edu.ec

Recibido: 1/09/2018; Aceptado: 1/11/2018

RESUMEN

Las líneas institucionales de investigación científica del Ecuador están estrechamente

relacionadas con los ejes problemáticos de América Latina en el impacto de la

globalización en la educación superior. Internet y la comunidad científica ecuatoriana

están proporcionando diferentes resultados en diversas líneas de investigación; Por

ejemplo, cultura, democracia y sociedad. La globalización y la internacionalización en

la educación superior afectan a universidades enteras en el Ecuador. Por lo tanto, el

presente trabajo se dirige al análisis del estado actual de las cosas del profesor

universitario de nuestro país. Para este propósito, se ha recurrido a varias fuentes de

información para producir un trabajo integral desde varias perspectivas, sin tratar de

estructurar las consideraciones para obtener algunas conclusiones con un reclamo de

objetividad y optimizar los recursos disponibles en Ecuador para pasar al contexto

científico global.

Palabras Clave: investigación científica, globalización e internacionalización,

catedrático, líneas de investigación

Universidad de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

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http://cienciaytecnologia.uteg.edu.ec

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Valle, Tapia, Mendieta, Adrián. El catedrático como investigador

científico en el Ecuador

ABSTRACT

The institutional lines of scientific research of Ecuador are closely related to the

problematic axles of Latin America in the impact of globalization on higher education.

The internet and Ecuadorian scientific community are providing different results

engaged in various lines of research; for instance, culture, democracy and society.

The globalization and internationalization in higher Education affect whole

Universities in Ecuador; therefore, the present work is routed to the analysis of the

current state of things of the University professor of our country. For this purpose,

the authors have resorted to various sources of information to produce a

comprehensive work from various perspectives, without trying to structure

considerations getting some conclusions with a claim to objectivity and optimize the

resources available in Ecuador to move into the global scientific context.

Keywords: scientific research, globalization and internationalization, professor,

research lines

Introduction

The University Professor in Ecuador Historical and Reflexive approach.

How does the Ecuadorian University Professor do Research? The question is a little

complex, and linked to some conflicts, tensions and doubts. The average income of

an Ecuadorian professor is US$ 26,400 per year depending on the subject field of the

expertise Arts and Humanities, Science, Health, Engineering and architecture, and

Law.

Is Ecuador increasing the Research Production?

Ecuador has many cities of different sizes and particular programs towards research,

nevertheless, the government institution called: Secretariat of Higher Education

SENESCYT issued the regulation to certify, register and categorize professionals

willing to carry out research work in Ecuador for careers of public interest, fixing rules

according to The National Plan for Development which established research

parameters of science and technology.

Objectives.

The objectives of this paper are harmoniously integrated into a ‘structured whole’. As

the first objective, it should be noted that the language being used is as accessible as

possible, taking into account that, as requisites for Scientific Research, there are

terms that are impossible to avoid. To this end, a variety of sources have been used

to extract the most relevant concepts and to expose them in a language that is

accessible to professors of the Ecuadorian Universities.

Another objective is constituted by the fact that this work has essentially used

electronic reporting which is necessary to make this information accessible to the

scientific community and to university professors in Ecuador at the global level. To be

more explicit in this regard, this work is intended to provide an intrinsic motivation

for Ecuador to join the ‘World’s Scientific Community’.

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The development of research production in Ecuador.

It will be a long and complex process, but it is necessary to begin to publicize the

results of the few researches of the university teachers and to encourage adequate

exploration of the current standards of the ‘Methodology of Scientific Research’. In

this 21st century, scientific knowledge and technological advances are not yet part

of the everyday dictionary of Ecuadorian society. The connection between technology

and computer is uncommon in the country (Pino, 2006).

It is essential to make explicit mention of the sources, besides being a requirement

of the APA style with which the present work is developed; because it is necessary to

respect copyright and give credit to those who have served as sources of inspiration.

This is also intended to acknowledge the faculty-researchers of the Universidad de

Guayaquil in Ecuador, whose works are cited here, with the express mention of their

bibliography in the respective section of this paper and also, within the context of this

work (DIPA, 2016). Considering the previous works and research on this subject being

discussed, they are not many, but the few available are of very good quality. This

paper begins by mentioning the need to explore a dissertation on scientific research

in Ecuadorian universities. It should be noted that this thesis carries a detailed

historical review; affirming the fact that ‘until the 1970s, Ecuadorian universities were

dedicated exclusively to teaching, with very little space for research; with little

reading and even with very little literature and bibliography available’. There were

few publications. For the most part, the 'Annals' of the universities and books of

private initiative were produced at the historic basis of patronage" (Ayala 2015).

It is said that most of the texts available until the 1970s were limited to a few articles

and some speeches revealed that the situation of ‘Scientific Research’ in Ecuador was

quite precarious. Researches were carried out but they were limited to undergraduate

theses that were repetitive and monotonous. At that time, most of the few original

theses were from the area of law which was all too familiar, being referred to as part

of the Ecuadorian culture. However, the scientific research ended with the same

thesis, since lawyers once they graduate, were dedicated to the professional practice,

and not involved in university teaching and policy. So, scientific research, in the

strictest sense, was limited to timid assumptions; as was the case of some who were

self-financing, for example, Jacinto Jijon and Camano in the areas of historiography

and archaeology. As far as medicine was concerned, only the isolated case of Pablo

Arturo Suarez stands out. In addition to undergraduate theses, dissertation was the

only product of scientific research. But the most curious aspect was that the best-

known works were of the advocates. Dr. Gabriel Cevallos Garcia was one of the most

truthful historians and of greater prestige and scientific/literary strength of Cuenca,

considered at the same time as one of the most remarkable Ecuadorian essayists of

the twentieth century (Aviles, 2006).

Furthermore, another paper entitled ‘University, Scientific Research and Development

in Latin America and Ecuador’; in which can be noted, among other aspect, that

resources that have been channeled towards the education sector have focused on

the primary level neglecting higher education and transfer of scientific knowledge and

technology.

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This policy, which shifts to the marketplace the function of strengthening both higher

education and developmental capacity in science and technology in support of the

requirements for economic growth and social demands, has led to a chronic under-

allocation of resources for universities; above all, weakening education at the post-

graduate level, and the development of scientific and technological research

(Larrea,2006). Note that, this paper also highlights the international inequalities in

scientific and technological investment. It is clear that, in addition to the role of

universities in the training of high-level human resources, they must satisfy the

pressing and urgent need for the development of scientific and technological research.

The obvious inequalities existing between North and South in science and technology

are evident. Developed countries invest four times as much Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), while twelve of these countries have ten times more researchers per million of

the population than Latin America. So far, it seems that it was a study focused on

Latin America and not Ecuador. Nonetheless, what is preached from our sub-

continent, applies to our Ecuador.

This paper lays much emphasizes on the Ecuadorian situation, in that, it stresses that

the inequalities in Latin America is overwhelming as well. Thus, Brazil for example,

invests a proportion of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which is ten times greater

than that of Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. While there are specific nations that stand

out, as it is the case with Brazil itself, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Cuba and Costa Rica;

and the remaining countries, including Ecuador, having almost marginal figures.

Another work which precedes the present one entitled ‘The Actors of Change in the

Reinvention of the Ecuadorian University: the Strategic Role of Academic Staff in the

Transformation of Higher Education in Ecuador’; also placed a special emphasis on

‘Research and Teaching’. It is evident, among other things, that since CONUEP (the

defunct National Council of Universities and Polytechnic Schools) presented in due

course, the research work entitled ‘The Assessment of the Current Situation and

Prospects for the Short and Medium Term’ in the 80s, it was obviously stated already

that ‘the serious situation presented by the research development of the Centers of

Higher Education was inextricably linked to the structural problems of academic

institutions’ (Minteguiaga, 2013).

According to the data reported in this study, during the period between 1980 and

1988, 1,348 people undertook several research projects, of which 705 were advanced

projects and 277 were concluded within the period. In summary and with regards to

the subject of the works that have preceded this present one, it is apparent that

these studies were of good quality according to this important brief history.

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Development

To reach the objectives of this applied research , it has been used a quali-quantitative

approach which is developed in a three month period having personal interviews to

deans and professors having structured questionnaires , also a twenty three question

survey applied to 145 University professors from 5 different Ecuadorian Universities

to evaluate four relevant factors that influence the research process in the Ecuadorian

University which are: the number of publications obtained by professor , the

conditions offer by Universities to do this practice, the support offered by different

Universities, and the motivation. This qualiquantitative research will have two parts

which will be developed at the same time: The first involved the interviews and the

second one the surveys. There will also be two focus groups of professors separated

in public and private Universities. The research will be run in a fourth month period,

followed by a period of two months dedicated to the analysis and the socialization of

the results.

A group of interested students and teachers will also help with the revision and

validation of the data obtained and then there would be a socialization of the results

obtained.

A method is understood as a sequence of successive steps, leading to a goal or goals.

The present work has been focused on formulating proposals aimed at solving, in the

future, the current state of things of the scientific researches of Ecuadorian

professors. Considering that this is the most appropriate method to deal with the

problem (the poor level of scientific research of university professors), since it is the

path that leads to the achievement of the objectives. At the moment, ‘some methods

are common to many sciences, but each aspect of science has its own problems and

therefore its own needs where it will be necessary to employ those modalities of the

general methods more adequate to the solution of the specific problems’ (Cerbero,

2017). It is important to note that, in terms of Scientific Research, ‘method’ means a

set of processes that man must undertake during a research and demonstration of

the truth. Moreover, the method is not invented since it depends on the object of the

investigation itself.

The methodology of scientific research, it is not a matter of using a single method in

a strict sense; it must also be taken into account that, this method of observation has

been used. But the question now is what type of observation and for what is it used?

The answer is very simple; the observation of the background and some situations,

data and current statistics to plan future solutions. Regarding the current situation in

Ecuador, the lack of research in universities highlights one of the most worrying, visible

problems; and by the way, the reason why some of the universities were in the

Category ‘E’ of Council of Higher Education

Nevertheless, the Ecuadorian university, through different government agencies, is

investing in the search for new ways to encourage scientific research in the country's

higher education institutions (Campi, 2012). However, there are conflicting opinions

which try to ensure that a standardized measure at the global level consists of a

number of professionals who obtain postgraduate degrees, such as Masters in

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Sciences (M.Scs.) or Ph.D. in Philosophy (Ph.D.). These analysts show that the

number is very high in Brazil, Colombia (5,000) and Venezuela (15,000) until a few

years ago (when an economic crisis began in this country). Although in Ecuador the

number hardly rises to 300, according to the data by the Foundation for Science and

Technology of Ecuador. These analyses are not so optimistic, and have pointed out

that, scientific production is done through 16 indexed journals and the volume of

statistical data represents 1% of the scientific information generated globally. In

Ecuador, the number of magazines available is not so much a problem, but their

survival. Most of them do not survive due to lack of support from scientists who can

publish them. Therefore, as long as research is not a state policy, the emergence of a

generation of researchers will not be achieved. Science must be developed in all fields

of human endeavor as it is the case in humanitarian sciences, making science the

conclusion to the well-being of man (Ruiz, 2017).

This paper is intended to propose strategies for the implementation of scientific

research in the whole university community of Ecuador. Therefore, Ecuadorian

professors must prepare themselves in terms of the Methodology of Scientific

Research, for which the State and the universities themselves must allocate the

necessary resources.

The university professors should make students aware that the application of

processes and methods of Scientific Research should become a common way of

proceeding within the teaching-learning process. For this objective to be achieved, it

is necessary that the teacher himself is sufficiently prepared in the subject of the

Methodology of Scientific Research. Another integral element of the strategy is

constituted by the fact that the teaching staff of the Universities of Ecuador and all

the higher educational centers are adequately prepared in the already crucial subject

of the technologies to motivate their students to become involved in technological

innovation.

In addition, there should be campaigns to create a university scientific council in all

the higher educational centers of the country to manage the scientific production of

teachers and students, as well as carrying out diverse research. Among the

Universities surveys, the Universidad de Guayaquil already has the so-called DIPA

(Directorate of Research and Academic Projects), although there is still a long way to

go.

Another element of the comprehensive strategy proposed is that the students manage

their degree thesis in the cognizance of the relevant area and under the supervision

of the teachers. Thus, the students would be enriched with the information collected

by them themselves.

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Results

Question No. 1 How many papers have you published in indexed magazines?

Figure 2 indicates that 30% of the University professors agree with the conditions that

the University offers to do research, whereas 58% disagree, and 12% are indifferent.

The 58% do not consider that the University where they work provides good

conditions to applied or scientific research.

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Question No. 3

Did the research reinforce your performance?

Figure 4 shows that a group of 34% of the professors agree that their universities

satisfied their requirements related with their professional performance, 59%

disagree, and the 7% are indifferent.

There have been considering in the survey four relevant factors that influence

positively in the research process in the Ecuadorian University, these are: the number

of publications obtained by professors , the conditions offered by Universities to do

this practice, the support offered by different Universities, and the motivation of the

professors about research community.

Based on the findings of other researchers like Field (2003), as stated during the

introduction and development of this paper, that although the Ecuadorian Universities

already have some interesting research program; the university community, in

general in Ecuador is still in an infancy state when it comes to the implementation of

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programs that can place them in a scenario where the country becomes known at a

national, regional and much less, global level. Likewise, they do not have adequate

logistics and infrastructure to accommodate all the immense amount of scientific

research that is carried out abroad.

As regard suggestions for new research possibilities this time, several proposals are

formulated in a comprehensive approach which in the future may assist other

Ecuadorian researchers to advance projects based on these proposals. At the

moment, the results of the proposals that are implemented in the universities of

Ecuador will be seen as they are developed.

Thus, a new state of affairs would lead to new research based on the programs being

structured. Within what is called the "Research Cycle", there are important factors

that can come from two types of sources, one of them being the Empirical Sources:

the observation of the researcher himself or the results of previous investigations of

other researchers. Here is what has been done: research based on previous research.

In the future, others will be able to carry out works based on the present

investigation.

Discussion

The quantity and interest about scientific research and publishing, such as the

satisfaction of the research professor have been explored to improve the

reinforcement of this activity in the Ecuadorian University.

The results of this research study stay that although Ecuadorian professors have

different kind of programs created to develop scientific research most of them do not

feel satisfied, or believe that publishing is not for them, therefore the number of

publications of Ecuadorian professors is really low, and the research activity is almost

null even though Ecuador Secretariat of Higher Education SENESCYT tries to help

researches in their activities.

Another important contribution of this paper is that the activities involve with classes

is what professors surveyed enjoy more than the research activities.

Conclusion

Scientific research, which is understood as a process of reflection, control and

criticism that works from a system and intends to provide new facts, data, relations

or laws in any field of scientific study is gradually developed in Ecuador, although

there is still a long way to go. The Directorate of Research and Academic Projects

(DIPA) has been working at Universidad de Guayaquil of Ecuador. However, there is

much to be perfected. Regarding the implications of the present study and its

relevance in the different areas. Nevertheless, not all Ecuadorian universities have

taken corrective measures to be part of the world’s scientific community. To such

effect, it has formulated a strategy which, if implemented, Ecuadorian universities,

will serve as a basis to future research; because the scientist should not seek to

confirm the hypotheses but test them. An improper confirmation of the hypotheses

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may lead to biased investigations, contrary to reliable research "(Docslide, 2015).

To sum it up, it is necessary to encourage the participation of the University

community students and professors in congresses, seminars, symposia, conferences

and discussions at both national and international levels, to make known their own

progress and to learn about the progress of other Ecuadorian educational institutions.

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