The conference sought to provide academics with tools that allow them to better face the challenge of writing an article.

Academics and professionals from the four Faculties of the University of La Serena participated in the Research Methodology Seminar, organized by the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies.

The objective of the seminar was to provide academics with tools on information collection and data analysis techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, that allow them to better face the challenge of writing an article.

The Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte Cuello, stated that “it is important to encourage research into teaching, especially when academics are generally specialists in disciplinary areas and are not necessarily specialists in teaching itself. In order to contribute to this, VIPULS has managed this academic writing course, which to date has been given in three versions, and now this research methodology seminar complements this course. We also plan for July, an advanced level course in academic writing.”

The Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies also valued the response of the academics to these sessions, which translated into great attendance in the three versions of the course and recognized Dr. Haylen Perines “for her excellent disposition and commitment as a presenter of the academic writing course.” , and now together with Dr. Marcelo Jaque as rapporteurs of the Seminar, whom I also thank for his work."

The Seminar included a module of qualitative content, which addressed techniques for collecting qualitative information, selection criteria for participants, relevance of informed consent, analysis of qualitative information, first steps to analyze qualitative information; by Dr. Haylen Perines Véliz, academic and researcher at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Science and Technology of the University of La Serena.

"In the 3 academic writing courses we received the suggestion of providing tools linked to research methodology and in that context this seminar was organized. In the part in which I was a rapporteur, we focused on the foundations of qualitative methodology, in some of its techniques and in the analysis of the information. I think the participants were satisfied, they were involved and I hope to have answered most of their queries," highlighted Dr. Haylen Perines Véliz.

The quantitative content module was led by Dr. Marcelo Jaque Arancibia, researcher at the Research and Development Directorate of the University of La Serena, who developed topics related to the foundations of descriptive statistics; variable types; measures of central position, non-central position, measures of dispersion; skewness and kurtosis; frequencies; Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis.

“It is important to sustain collaborative and multidisciplinary work within our institution. I believe that this type of workshops consolidates this way of developing research and how to relate within the institution. Without a doubt, these practices will contribute to the sustained increase that the University of La Serena has had in scientific productivity, having a direct impact on the community,” explained Dr. Marcelo Jaque Arancibia.

Written by Sergio Muñoz, Office of Dissemination and Dissemination of Science and Technology