INVESTIGACIÓN
Grupo de Investigación
PENSER

Líneas de
Investigación
1- Formación integral de niños
y jóvenes
2- Procesos educativos sistémicos
3- Andragogía holística
1. Formación integral
2. Producción intelectual con altos estándares
3. Divulgación y socialización de conocimiento
4. Transferencia de conocimiento
5. Fundraising
Actividades Clave
Talento
Humano
Investigadores de reconocida experiencia y trayectoria con afiliación a organismos referentes en educación
Formación, Asesoría, Consultoría, Proyección
Transferencia de conocimiento
PROYECTOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN CURSO
Measuring Educational Impact in Latin American Universities: A Model for Evaluating Graduate Profiles
Research Question
How can the impact of graduate profiles in academic programs at Latin American institutions be evaluated, considering the needs of disciplinary, professional, and socioeconomic contexts?
Objectives and Associated Actions
1. Characterize graduate profiles
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Identify the key competencies and skills embedded in the graduate profiles of academic programs in Latin America.
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Examine the coherence between graduate profiles and curricula.
2. Develop a conceptual framework for impact assessment
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Define a conceptual framework that integrates disciplinary, transversal, socioeconomic, cultural, and gender dimensions.
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Establish key indicators to assess the impact of graduate profiles across these dimensions.
3. Design a measurement instrument
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Develop instruments (e.g., questionnaires, interviews, documentary analysis) to collect data from graduates, employers, and faculty.
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Ensure reliability and validity through pilot testing and statistical validation.
4. Analyze data and construct the Impact Index
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Apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to identify patterns and relationships across variables.
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Construct the Impact Index of Graduate Profiles (IIGP) and analyze its components.
5. Assess the relationship between graduate profiles and outcomes
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Examine correlations between graduate profiles and outcomes such as employability, income levels, job satisfaction, and social contribution.
6. Identify factors influencing the impact of graduate profiles
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Analyze the role of institutional, contextual, and individual variables in shaping the impact of graduate profiles.
7. Provide recommendations to enhance graduate profiles
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Formulate recommendations to align graduate profiles with labor market demands and societal needs.
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Suggest strategies to strengthen the implementation and monitoring of graduate profiles within higher education institutions.
Benefits for Participating Institutions
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Leadership in educational quality: Institutions will strengthen their positioning as benchmarks of academic excellence.
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Enhanced social relevance: Graduate profiles aligned with labor market and societal needs increase institutional impact and community contribution.
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Resource optimization: More effective program design and evaluation foster efficient use of human and material resources.
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Evidence-based decision-making: Research findings will provide robust data to support curriculum design, teaching strategies, and quality management.
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International visibility: Participation in regional-level research will improve institutional reputation and facilitate academic collaborations, while attracting high-quality students and faculty.
Methodology
This study proposes a robust and adaptable methodological framework for evaluating the impact of graduate profiles in academic programs across Latin America. The research will begin with a systematic literature review at both international and regional levels to identify best practices and existing knowledge gaps. In parallel, a comparative analysis of evaluation models currently employed in Latin American institutions will be conducted, taking into account contextual specificities.
Based on these findings, a conceptual model will be developed to integrate relevant dimensions for impact evaluation. This model will incorporate indicators to measure competencies achieved, the satisfaction of graduates and employers, and the contribution of graduates to socioeconomic development. To operationalize the model, a mixed-methods measurement instrument (surveys, interviews, documentary analysis, case studies) will be designed and validated.
The methodology will be implemented in a sample of higher education institutions representing the diversity of Latin American contexts. Case studies will allow for an in-depth analysis of graduate profile implementation, evaluation strategies, and outcomes. Data will be processed using statistical and qualitative analysis software, ensuring methodological rigor.
The results will help identify strengths and limitations of current evaluation models and support the formulation of evidence-based recommendations for more effective and efficient evaluation systems. Ultimately, this research will contribute to the development of solid methodological benchmarks that can guide higher education institutions in enhancing program quality and graduate relevance.
Expected Results
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Identification of structuring variables: Definition of the core variables underpinning a robust model for evaluating the impact of graduate profiles in higher education programs.
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Graduate Profile Impact Index (IIGP): A composite index comprising four key dimensions—disciplinary competencies, transversal competencies, social mobility, and quality-of-life perceptions.
Impacts
1. Scientific Impact
The development of methodological frameworks for evaluating graduate profiles represents an advancement in educational research in Latin America. It will contribute to consolidating a specialized body of knowledge in this field and strengthen methodological rigor in higher education research.
2. Social Impact
Improved alignment between graduate training and societal needs will enhance employability, social mobility, and inclusion, contributing to sustainable social development.
3. Economic Impact
By producing professionals better adapted to labor market demands, the project will reduce skill mismatches, boosting productivity and regional competitiveness.
4. Environmental Impact
An indirectly positive contribution is expected through a more qualified and socially responsible workforce that fosters sustainable practices in various economic sectors.
5. Knowledge Transfer Impact
The frameworks developed can be adopted and adapted by other institutions across the region, promoting a culture of continuous improvement in higher education.
Concepts, Methodologies, and Tools for the International Accreditation of Academic Programs Considering Institutional, Local, and National Contexts
Research Question
How can concepts, methodologies, and tools be developed to strengthen the international accreditation of academic programs, while accounting for the institutional, local, and national contexts in which they are implemented?
Objectives and Associated Actions
1. Conceptualization of accreditation frameworks
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Identify and analyze the main international accreditation standards and criteria relevant to academic programs.
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Examine how institutional, local, and national contexts influence the applicability and adaptation of these standards.
2. Development of a methodological framework
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Design a methodological framework that integrates global accreditation requirements with contextual specificities.
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Establish guiding principles for contextual adaptation without undermining international comparability.
3. Construction of evaluation tools
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Design and validate tools (e.g., rubrics, checklists, self-assessment guides) to support institutions in accreditation processes.
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Ensure tools address multiple dimensions: academic quality, governance, inclusion, sustainability, and relevance.
4. Comparative analysis and benchmarking
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Conduct comparative analyses of international accreditation models and their implementation in Latin American institutions.
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Identify best practices, success factors, and barriers to accreditation.
5. Pilot application of tools
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Implement the proposed methodologies and tools in selected case-study institutions.
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Evaluate their effectiveness in supporting accreditation processes under different contextual conditions.
6. Identification of influencing factors
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Analyze how institutional policies, local environments, and national regulations impact accreditation outcomes.
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Explore the interaction between global accreditation demands and regional educational priorities.
7. Recommendations for sustainable accreditation processes
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Propose strategies to harmonize international accreditation standards with local and national realities.
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Offer guidelines for institutions to achieve sustainable and context-sensitive accreditation.
Benefits for Participating Institutions
Positioning in international academic rankings through compliance with accreditation standards.Strengthening of internal quality assurance systems aligned with international best practices.Improved employability of graduates due to internationally recognized credentials.Evidence-based decision-making supported by reliable evaluation tools.Expanded opportunities for international collaboration, partnerships, and mobility.
Methodology
The proposed methodology combines conceptual, comparative, and applied research approaches. The project will begin with a systematic review of international accreditation standards (e.g., ABET, AACSB, EUR-ACE) and their adoption in diverse educational systems. Parallelly, a contextual analysis will be conducted to examine institutional governance structures, local socioeconomic conditions, and national regulatory frameworks that shape accreditation processes.
Based on these findings, a methodological framework will be designed to align international accreditation requirements with contextual specificities. This framework will integrate qualitative and quantitative tools, including rubrics, self-assessment guides, and benchmarking instruments.
The framework and tools will be piloted in selected higher education institutions across Latin America, representing different contexts. Data will be collected through case studies, surveys, and interviews with institutional leaders, accreditation agencies, and stakeholders. Both statistical analysis and qualitative coding techniques will be applied to validate the relevance, usability, and transferability of the tools.
The outcomes will allow the formulation of context-sensitive recommendations that ensure international accreditation processes remain rigorous yet adaptable, contributing to institutional strengthening and regional integration in higher education.
Expected Results
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Conceptual clarification of international accreditation principles and their relationship with institutional, local, and national contexts.
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Methodological framework for adapting and implementing international accreditation models.
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Validated tools (rubrics, checklists, self-assessment instruments) to guide institutions through accreditation processes.
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Benchmarking database of accreditation practices in Latin American higher education.
Impacts
1. Scientific Impact
This project will contribute to the body of knowledge on international accreditation by proposing a framework that reconciles global standards with contextual realities. It will enhance methodological rigor in accreditation studies and strengthen comparative higher education research.
2. Social Impact
Context-sensitive accreditation processes will improve the quality and relevance of academic programs, thereby enhancing graduates’ ability to contribute to social development while promoting equity and inclusion.
3. Economic Impact
Accredited programs aligned with international standards and labor market needs will increase graduate employability, institutional competitiveness, and regional economic development.
4. Institutional Impact
Participating institutions will strengthen their internal quality assurance systems, achieve higher international recognition, and position themselves as leaders in academic excellence.
5. Knowledge Transfer Impact
The methodologies and tools developed will be transferable to other institutions across Latin America and beyond, fostering collaborative learning and the diffusion of best practices in international accreditation.
Title: Construction of Methodological References for the Impact Evaluation of Graduation Profiles in Latin American Programs.
Research Question
How to evaluate the impact of the graduate profile in academic programs in Latin American institutions, taking into account the needs of the disciplinary, work and socioeconomic environments of graduates?
Expected Results
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Methodological Reference for Impact Evaluation: Development of a solid framework to evaluate the impact of the graduation profile in academic programs.
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Graduation Profile Impact Index (GPII): Measurement of an index composed of four structural components: disciplinary competence development, transversal competence development, social mobility, and quality of life perception.
Methodology
The proposed methodology is aimed at evaluating the impact of the graduation profile of an academic program, using explanatory methods from educational research. The objective is to develop a model for evaluating the impact of the graduation profile in the academic programs of Latin American institutions, taking into account the disciplinary needs and the socioeconomic environment of graduates.
Impacts
The construction of methodological references for evaluating the graduation profile in Latin American programs represents a step forward in educational research in the region. This project will contribute to the consolidation of a solid and specific body of knowledge on graduation profile evaluation, filling an existing gap in Latin American academic literature. Additionally, by using explanatory methods from educational research, the project will promote greater rigor in higher education research.