Creative approaches to undergraduate research

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions are par excellence centers of knowledge production, an activity that is generated from the substantive functions of Teaching, Research and Extension. This dialectical triad, duly interrelated, constitutes the foundation of its raison d'être. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the development of the culture of research at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Guayana extension, enhancing the research skills of professors and students through the development of the Innovative Formulas for Undergraduate Research Project. The methodological approach was guided by Participatory Action Research, considering the need to progressively convert the organization into a research university, encouraging the participation of professors and students in the collective construction of knowledge, considering problematic situations of the environment, implementing actions to increase, through unconventional strategies, research at the headquarters. The project was developed over five semesters, with the participation of teachers and students from the eight schools. At the end of the 202415 semester, 85 professors participated and 114 products were materialized, which have been disseminated through various media, preferably in the institutional repository Saber Ucab, followed by publication in national and international journals and research conferences. The products obtained have contributed to demystify the belief that doing research from the classroom is difficult, producing satisfaction and obtaining more and better learning. The assessment of the experience by the university's Strategic Planning department reports great satisfaction and recognition, while the Academic Vice-Rectorate is urged to continue developing these activities.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.018-063