Assessment of research in Communication and Education in accredited public universities in Lima, Peru (2015-2021)

Abstract

The analysis of the quality of undergraduate research in public Peruvian universities (2015-2021) constitutes a key input for improving academic training and national scientific production. The study evaluated 232 theses (122 in Communication, 110 in Education) from licensed public universities in Lima, focusing on the problem statement, theoretical framework, methodology, and presentation of results. The aim was to identify structural strengths and weaknesses that would allow for the optimization of research processes, which are essential for disciplinary advancement and the professional development of students. The objective was to diagnose the current state of undergraduate research, identifying both methodological successes and recurring limitations in their development. The ultimate goal was to establish evidence-based recommendations to strengthen research processes in these fields of knowledge. This is a basic, non-experimental study with a quantitative approach and a hypothetical-deductive method. The sample was analyzed using a standardized observation sheet that assessed three dimensions: theoretical coherence, methodological rigor, and the quality of academic writing. The design enabled a comparative interdisciplinary analysis and the identification of recurring patterns. In Communication, 66.4% of the theses achieved a sufficient quality level, meeting minimum standards in structure and clarity of exposition. In contrast, in Education, only 20% of the works were deemed adequate. The findings highlight the need to implement differentiated training strategies, establish standardized supervision protocols, and promote academic writing workshops to raise the standards of scientific production at the undergraduate level.