Evaluation of Research Competencies in High School Students. Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The educational trends of the twenty-first century demand high school students with research skills that allow them to develop critical thinking and problem solving. Objective: To evaluate the research competencies of high school students in an urban parish in Ecuador between July and August 2025. Method: cross-sectional study conducted in high school students, the sample was 216 students selected in a simple random way, the instrument used was adapted from the Research Competencies Evaluation Scale (EECI), descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were analyzed. Results: The general meaning per item (each question) was 3.29 ± 0.98, that is, the research competencies in high school students who participated in this research is average. Students perceive themselves as having a low capacity (Mean 2.90 ± 0.95) in the competencies related to the structuring of the logical design of the research and the procedures of selection and analysis of data. Students consider that they have a high capacity in the competencies related to communication and use of ICTs (Mean 3.51 ± 0.99). Conclusions: These findings suggest the need to strengthen the pedagogical approach to research from an early age, incorporating active methodologies, teacher accompaniment and safe spaces for trial and error. In addition, it is critical that students understand methodological design not as a rigid formula, but as a flexible tool for answering relevant questions in their contexts.