Abstract:

It has been proposed that expectations and perceptions on research processes of undergraduate students can affect the participation on such processes, for this reason, it is vital to develop exploratory studies on how academics and students perceive research approaches of the institution. This becomes an essential input for strategic and assertive decision making method to improve research processes.

In this context, it is important to mention that the Minuto de Dios University system emphasizes the dignity of individuals and investigates extensively around four main lines: (i) Education, social transformation and innovation. (ii) Human development and communication. (iii) Social and productive innovation, (iv) Social management, participation and community development.

The purpose is to identify whether these research approaches are liked by the academic community, so that, it is relevant to assess the image of the relevance, importance and applicability of the research field given by academics and undergraduate students.

Based on the needs which have been suggested, this paper aims to identify the perceptions and expectations of the undergraduate student community from the University Corporation Minuto de Dios Sectional Bello on the orientation of the research lines and the dissemination of the Research Centre of the Institution. It is intended that this information becomes an input to strengthen proposals to encourage research participation by undergraduate students.

Participants in this study are students and professors from the Faculty of the Economics and Administrative sciences of the University Corporation Minuto de Dios Sectional Bello. This study used a quantitative methodological design based on 223 self-administered surveys in order to examine the knowledge that the students have of the research system, fields, lines, and groups which are offered by the institution. On the other hand, the study used qualitative data from nine professor’s interviews, in order to understand what their expectations are participating in research processes and how they perceive the research system inside the institution. This study used as methodology an exploratory, non-experimental, transversal and field research.

The results report that regarding the line research in education there is a positive trend in terms of the level of agreement, as 70% of the students surveyed stated to be among “strongly agree” and “agree” with the research focused on this line, and regard to the social transformation line, 59% of the students surveyed stated to be among “strongly agree” and “agree” with the research focused on this second line.

In addition, professor’s interviews showed that most of them consider research fields and lines relevant as well as highly aligned to the mission and vision of the University, considering a professional approach and conception from the university different from the rest of the universities, since “In the University Corporation Minuto de Dios, academics and human beings are equally valuable”. Moreover, professors consider that the formation of the research lines has been a participatory process and some of them have been involved in these processes, however, it is also believed that the procedures are still on the way to be constructed and the approaches of research projects that support the research sub lines need to be enhanced and addressed.

Keywords:

Undergraduate Students, University Corporation Minuto De Dios, research processes.