Decisions on Methodological Paths in Final Graduation Projects: Sharing Steps by Step
Keywords:
Research Methodology, Principal Component Analysis, Types of Research, Higher Education, Methodological Approaches.Abstract
Objective: To investigate the perceptions of students in the Bachelor's Degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Nutrition regarding the level of difficulty they identify according to the type of research selected at a private university from January to March 2026.
Materials and methods: This was a descriptive, non-experimental study. It consisted of two stages: the preparation of possible methodological approaches for Final Graduation Projects, and the second stage, a survey of 16 students from two programs within the Faculty of Medical Sciences who had completed or were about to complete their Final Graduation Projects, between January and March 2026. The survey focused on aspects that presented difficulties in their approach, according to the type of research selected.
Results: The activities to be developed were defined according to the chosen type of research. Four methodological approaches were designed: literature review, survey research, interview research, and case study. Regarding the results obtained from the survey of advanced students, active and supplementary variables were considered in the Principal Component Analysis. The explained variance reaches almost 80%, which is considered a good fit.
Conclusions: The Methodology department is working intensively on designing activities that strengthen the skills necessary for students to continue along the path they must follow to complete their Final Graduation Project.
References
1. Calle, L. (2016). Methodologies for conducting a literature review for research. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301748735_Metodologias_para_hacer_la_revision_de_literatura_de_una_investigacion.
2. González-Veja, Alba María del Carmen, Sánchez, Rubén Molina, Salazar, Alejandra López, & Salazar, Gloria Leticia López. (2022). The qualitative interview as a research technique in the study of organizations. New Trends in Qualitative Research, 14, e571. Epub August 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.36367/ntqr.14.2022.e571
3. Guirao Goris, Silamani J. Adolf. (2015). Usefulness and types of literature review. Ene, 9(2) https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1988-348X2015000200002
4. Henry, M. L. (2016). The survey as a tool for collecting data on psychosocial risks. In IX Sociology Conference of the National University of La Plata (Ensenada, 2016).
5. Rocco, L., & Oliari, N. (2007). The internet survey as a methodological alternative. VII Sociology Conference, 1, 1-11.
6. Samaja, J. (1993). Epistemology and methodology: elements for a theory of scientific research. In Epistemology and methodology: elements for a theory of scientific research (pp. 409-409).
7. Sánchez, J. C. (2011). Methodology of scientific and technological research. Díaz de Santos Publishers.
8. Tamayo, M. (1980). Formal methodology of scientific research. Limusa Publishing House.
