Abstract

REYES CRUZ, María del Rosario  and  HERNANDEZ MENDEZ, Edith. Productividad y condiciones para la investigación: el caso de los profesores de lenguas extranjeras. Sinéctica [online]. 2014, n.42, pp.1-17. ISSN 2007-7033.

This research had a twofold objective: First, to determine the hindrances with which faculty in the foreign languages field, at a public state university in the south east of Mexico, have to deal to conduct research, as well as their motivation to do research. Secondly, to determine the effects of both (hindrances and motivation) on faculty's productivity. Using a case study design, research papers published by the faculty between 2000 and 2011 were analyzed, and interviews were conducted. The results show that the productivity level is moderate, and the products with a better quality are done by professors holding a Ph D. degree. Although faculty who hold only a Master's degree claimed that research brings benefits to their teaching practice, their research products are only a few and circulated mainly as conference reports. The personal difficulties that account for this situation are the lack of research training and of extrinsic motivation. Nevertheless, the prevailing ones are those related with the institution's support, which is reflected on very little time allotted to do research, teaching academic subjects variation; poor administrative support, inadequate facilities, poor access to specialized databases and the inexistence of a mentoring program. These results have effects on the faculty development to conduct research in the field of foreign languages in this institution.

Keywords : research productivity; research capacity; foreign language.

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