Peruvian University Research Articles

Adapting to a New Normal: Peruvian University Faculty’s Experiences with Techno-Stress Post-COVID-19

Background Technology enhances teaching and learning quality, yet when educators lack tech proficiency, it hinders effective education and leads to frustration, lower confidence, and self-doubt. This study aims to investigate the experiences of university faculty members in relation to the impact of technology on their mental well-being. Methods Using a qualitative approach (grounded theory), ten university faculty members were selected for in-depth interviews based on criteria such as teaching experience, tenure, specific courses or subjects taught, and active engagement during the research period. The guiding research question, “What are the experiences and perceptions of university faculty members concerning techno-stress?” directed the study’s focus. The instrument (interview guide) that measured techno-stress consisted of 12 items and was administered virtually. Data were analyzed thematically to uncover common stressors, adaptive strategies, and institutional challenges faced by faculty in adapting to technology’s demands and work overload. Additionally, the study identified four subcategories: work overload, social and emotional interaction, adaption to new technologies, and expectations and teaching quality. Results Techno-stress is a composite of emotional and physical reactions triggered by the improper use of technology. Faculty members’ encounters with techno-stress have substantial implications for their quality of life. Conclusions This research highlights technology’s positive impact on higher education but notes faculty struggles with techno-stress, emphasizing the need for training, support, and boundaries to maintain work-life balance and enhance educational quality.

Educational quality policies and student satisfaction in public and private universities in Peru

Educational quality policies are a basic principle that every Peruvian university educational institution pursues in accordance with Law No. 30220, with the objective of training highly competent professionals who contribute to the development of the country. This study to analyzes educational quality policies with the student’s satisfaction of public and private universities in Peru, according to social variables. The study was descriptive-comparative, quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional. One thousand (1000) students from two Peruvian universities, one public (n = 500) and one private (n = 500), were purposively selected by quota using the SERVQUALing instrument. The findings indicate a moderate level of satisfaction reported by 49.2% of participants, with a notable tendency towards high satisfaction observed in 40.9% of respondents. These results suggest that most students perceive that the actual state of service quality policies are in a developmental stage. The results, therefore, indicate that regulatory measures, including university laws, licensing, and accreditation, significantly influence outcomes. These measures are essential for the effective functioning of universities. In addition, the analysis revealed that female and male students at private universities showed higher levels of satisfaction with the educational services offered. It is concluded that educational quality policies in Peru are still being executed, because the implementation of the University Law is in process, according to the satisfaction of the student, this must be improved in central aspects such as optimizing human resources, infrastructure, equipment, curricular plans that differ from the public to the private university, In addition, this should lead to improving and redefining current policies on educational quality and the economic policies that finance the educational service.

Research Training: Research Attitudes and Skills in Public Management Students from a Peruvian University

Research has consolidated itself as a key element in the advancement of science and academic development, while simultaneously emerging as a transcendental activity that enables, among other achievements, the attainment of professional degrees and titles. This study examines the relationship between research skills and attitude towards research. The design was non-experimental, applied to a probabilistic sample of 240 students. Two questionnaires were utilized to assess attitudes and research skills. A highly significant positive correlation was found through the statistical procedure Rho Spearman = 0.594 and p-value 0.001. These results corroborated previous studies that outline significantly associated factors, confirming that the importance of research skills is necessary and part of an appropriate attitude towards research that facilitates the development of skills applicable in academic, personal, and professional spheres. Research activity is essential for the growth of critical and highly capable individuals, capable of significantly enhancing their performance in various activities. Received: 14 June 2024 / Accepted: 28 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 13 No. 2

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (EMSD) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from May 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether EMSD publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Institute appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Dilek Kaya-Akyüzlü, Ankara University, TurkeyElham Mohamed, National Research Centre, EgyptFarahdilah Ghazali, University of Malaysia Terengganu, MalaysiaFarhaoui Mohamed, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, MoroccoGandhi Escajadillo Toledo, Peruvian University of Applied Sciences, PeruGiacomo Chiesa, Politecnico di Torino, ItalyHengky Halim, Universiti Utara Malaysia, MalaysiaManuel Mendoza-Carranza, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), MexicoMohammad Aghababaei, Washington State University, USAMona M. Amin Abdel-Fatah, National Research Center in Egypt, EgyptOylum Gokkurt Baki, Sinop University, TurkeyXiu Wu, Texas State University, USA

Attitudes and Motivation as Predictors of Perception of English Language Proficiency: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

English is the most widely spoken and written language in the world, so many students have different perceptions of English language proficiency, so there is a need to investigate the predictors of English language learning. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between attitudes towards learning English and motivation towards English learning under the SEM model as predictors of perception of English language proficiency in Peruvian university students. The sample consisted of 711 Peruvian students from a private university (442 females = 62.2% and 269 males = 37.8%). The questionnaire of attitudes towards learning English, motivation towards English, and socio-demographic questions were used, including the perception of English language proficiency. The proposed model obtained a satisfactory fit. Attitudes towards learning English explain 10% of the perception of English language proficiency, but with motivation towards English as the mediating variable. According to the established criteria, the goodness of fit of the model was confirmed (?2 = 383.78; df =3; p .000; RMSEA = 0.06; AGFI= 0.97; TLI = .97; CFI = .99), which confirms the fact that all the values obtained are acceptable. Received: 10 May 2024 / Accepted: xx October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Work Team Effectiveness: Importance of Organizational Culture, Work Climate, Leadership, Creative Synergy, and Emotional Intelligence in University Employees

(1) Background: In university contexts, the effectiveness of work teams is vital for institutional success and the personal development of an institution’s members. Objective: Our aim is to understand the relationships between emotional intelligence, team leadership, organizational culture, work climate, and creative synergy with team effectiveness. (2) Methods: We used a cross-sectional predictive design study using structural equation modeling (SEM), in which 512 surveys of employees of a private Peruvian university were analyzed. (3) Results: Leadership and emotional intelligence were found to significantly improve team effectiveness. In addition, organizational culture, work climate, and creative synergy act as mediators in these relationships, enhancing team effectiveness. The adjusted model presented adequate incremental (x2=9452.498, gl=3391, p<0.001) and comparative (TLI=0.998, CFI=0.998, RMSEA=0.017 y SRMR=0.033) goodness-of-fit indices. (4) Conclusions: The results showed that the development of emotional competencies and leadership skills is essential to optimize the effectiveness of work teams in universities. This integrated model not only provides a solid theoretical framework for future research, but also offers practical recommendations for improving the management and performance of work teams.

Terminal efficiency of Peruvian university students in the second specialty programs of a dental school over seven years

Background Concerns regarding academic efficiency at the postgraduate level in university programs require attention from those responsible for making university administrative decisions. This study aimed to determine the terminal efficiency of Peruvian university students enrolled in second specialty programs in a dental school over seven years. Methods This cross-sectional study considered all records of documents submitted for obtaining a title of second professional specialty in the programs offered by a dental school, published in its institutional repository between 2017 and 2023. The study variable was terminal efficiency (TE), considered both as a quantitative and qualitative variable. Additionally, some covariates were included, such as the year of formal document submission, the mode of document preparation, the second professional specialty in dentistry, and sex. Descriptive analysis was conducted to obtain absolute and relative frequencies. Bivariate analysis was performed using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results From the evaluation of TE between 2017 and 2023, it was observed that 72.09% (n=186) of students with a document submitted for obtaining a title of second professional specialty and published in the repository had a TE categorized of “Up to 1 year”. Likewise, the mean TE was 0.95 years (SD=1.25), with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between medians when evaluated based on the year of formal document submission and the dental specialty program. Conclusion The mean terminal efficiency of Peruvian university students in second specialty programs in a dental school over seven years was 0.95 years.

Sociodemographic aspects, beliefs about lifestyles, and religiosity as predictors of life satisfaction in Peruvian university students: a cross-sectional study.

Beliefs and practices related to healthy lifestyles and religiosity can play an important role in overall well-being. However, few studies have explored the association between these factors and life satisfaction in the university context. This study examined the association between sociodemographic aspects, lifestyle beliefs, and religiosity with life satisfaction in university students. A cross-sectional predictive study was conducted during the months of March and May 2024 at a private university located in the northern region of Peru. Validated instruments were distributed that included a lifestyle beliefs scale, the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire-Short Form (SCSRFQ-SF), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and a sociodemographic data section. A total of 1,258 students participated in the study. Multiple linear regression models were used for predictive analysis. Being a student of foreign origin, compared to being Peruvian, is negatively and significantly associated with life satisfaction (β = -0.066, p = 0.003). In contrast, a positive association is observed between belonging to the Faculty of Health Sciences (β = 0.119, p = 0.048) and life satisfaction, compared to students from other faculties. Furthermore, lifestyle beliefs (β = 0.579; p < 0.001) and religiosity (β = 0.182; p < 0.001) are positively and significantly associated with life satisfaction. These findings suggest that universities and health professionals should consider promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting religious practices as important strategies to improve student life satisfaction, considering relevant sociodemographic aspects.

Comparative Impact of Virtual and Face-To-Face Education on the Academic Performance and Perception of Accounting Students at a Peruvian University during the Pandemic

The present study compares the impact of virtual and face-to-face education modalities on the academic performance and perception of accounting students at the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a mixed methodological approach, quantitative and qualitative data from 98 students were analyzed, evaluating their academic performance, interaction, feedback and satisfaction in both modalities. The results show that students in the virtual modality obtained higher academic performance, attributed to the flexibility of online education. However, interaction and feedback were perceived as more effective in the face-to-face modality. Students valued the flexibility of virtual education, but emphasized the importance of personal interaction and the traditional classroom environment to maintain concentration and academic engagement. This study concludes that both modalities have strengths and weaknesses, and suggests that a hybrid combination could offer a more complete educational experience. Improvements in feedback and assessment in virtual environments are recommended, as well as encouraging active participation through interactive technologies.

Decision-Based Learning as an Approach for Teaching Statistics in a Peruvian University

Many students find learning statistics difficult, especially novice learners. Instructors also struggle to teach statistics due to many challenges, such as students’ misconceptions, lack of math skills, negative attitudes, and deficient instructional methods. A new pedagogical approach called Decision-Based Learning (DBL) has been developed to help instructors and students; however there are limited studies about teachers’ and students’ experiences with this method, particularly in international settings. For this project, a group of Peruvian university professors were trained to use DBL. This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of one Peruvian statistics instructor and her students implementing DBL pedagogy and software. The DBL software was created to help instructors easily implement DBL. Findings identify specific benefits and challenges participants faced when using DBL. Benefits included the growth of students’ confidence in solving statistical problems and instructor satisfaction. Challenges included time-consuming instructor initial preparation and students’ learning transfer issues.

Impact of Online Civic Participation on the Social and Labor Expectations of Peruvian University Students

Objective: Analyze the impact of online civic participation on the social and labor expectations of Peruvian university students, aiming to understand how digital engagement influences their future outlooks in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on concepts of digital citizenship, online civic participation, and the SDGs, using theories of media literacy, social engagement, and youth participation in digital spaces. It incorporates models of online civic (non)participation and a culturalist approach to digital interaction. Method: The study employs a quantitative-descriptive cross-sectional design, gathering data from 349 Peruvian university students through a 52-question survey. It explores students' digital behaviors, civic engagement, and academic and professional expectations, focusing on SDG-related outcomes. Results and Discussion: The findings show that while students are actively engaged in online civic activities, especially entertainment content, their participation and content creation are limited. A correlation exists between higher online engagement and lower academic and labor expectations, indicating a disconnect between digital activities, educational goals, and SDG alignment. Research Implications: The study highlights the need for educational strategies to improve digital literacy, balance online engagement with academics, and incorporate career development resources into digital platforms to align students' activities with their professional goals and the SDGs. Originality/Value: This research explores the link between online civic participation, socio-labor expectations of university students in a developing country, and the SDGs, providing practical insights for educators and policymakers to use digital platforms to enhance academic and career outcomes aligned with sustainable development.

Academic burnout and family communication as predictors of life satisfaction in Peruvian university students

Academic burnout and family communication as predictors of life satisfaction in Peruvian university students

Mediating role of digital skills and mobile self-efficacy in the stress and academic engagement of Peruvian university students in postpandemic virtual environments

BackgroundRemote education emerged as an option during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this modality continues to be used by various universities around the world in the postpandemic context. The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of digital skills and mobile self-efficacy in the influence of stress on the academic engagement of Peruvian university students during remote teaching by COVID-19 using structural equation modeling (SEM).MethodThis study involved 1,468 students from nine public and private universities in northern Peru who had undergraduate and graduate distance learning programs.ResultsThe results showed that stress negatively influenced academic engagement (β=-0.107*) and digital skills (β=-0.328***). In addition, digital skills (β = 0.470**) and mobile self-efficacy (β = 0.684***) positively influence academic engagement. Similarly, digital skills mediate the relationship between stress and academic engagement (β=-0.154**), and both variables act as sequential mediators in this relationship (β=-0.348***).ConclusionThis study provides a deeper understanding of the factors that influence academic engagement during Remote education and lays the groundwork for the development of interventions and training programs tailored to hybrid learning contexts that promote the well-being and academic success of college students in postpandemic times.

Management of Agile Methodologies for the Development of Competencies of University Students in the Peruvian Context

The fundamental purpose of this research work was to explain how the management of agile methodologies for the development of competencies of university students in the Peruvian context. Based on this question, it has been hypothesized that agile methodologies significantly help the development of students' competencies. This is complemented by a quantitative approach study, with a quasi-experimental design of the "Design with pre-test - post-test with experimental groups and control groups" model. The students of the one Peruvian University were considered as the study population, of which the students of the Faculty of Initial Education were taken as a study sample, within which 100 students participated as an experimental group. 100 from V, VII, X cycle and as a control group 100 students from II, III, and IV cycle respectively. Therefore, as the main result, it is evident that, with a bilateral significance of .000 less than the predetermined significance of 0.05 and a result of F = 1.013, they confirm that the first condition of equality of variances is met and thus establish the Test of the General Hypothesis or HG according to the normal "Z" equal to 8.965, in the case of two independent samples and a difference of 3.81 plus Gl = 51 degrees of freedom and assuming a 95% confidence level, the hypothesis is rejected null and the alternative Hypothesis is accepted, concluding that agile methodologies significantly help the development of students' competencies with a significance of pv ,000..

Psychometric properties of the Questionnaire for the evaluation of digital learning in higher education in Peruvian university students

This research presented the results of the process of creation and arrangement of the psychometric characteristics of the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Digital Learning in Higher Education (QEDLHE). With a quantitative, predominantly instrumental approach, 379 students from different universities in Peru were considered for the validity and reliability stage. The reliability of instruments was assessed using the method of split halves with Pearson and Cronbach's Alpha ratified by the Guttman coefficient; in the exploratory factor analysis, the KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) contrast and Bartlett's test were used, the rotation method for convergence with Varimax with Kaiser normalization; in the confirmatory factor analysis, the AMOS23 tool was used. Two models were used to compare the best fit indicators as a result. The conclusions show that the instrument has been operationalized theoretically by five dimensions composed of twenty-four items.

Analysis of techno-dependence in Peruvian university students

Analysis of techno-dependence in Peruvian university students

Liderazgo Directivo y Desempeño Docente en la Educación: Un Estudio de Caso de una Universidad Peruana

Regardless of the scale of an organization and economic fluctuations, none of its activities and efforts are exempt from the impact of leadership, which plays a crucial role in its trajectory and resilience in the face of constant change. In this context, the study aimed to determine the relationship between leadership and teacher performance in the educational field, based on a case study conducted at a Peruvian university. The primary objective of this study was to optimize the quality of university education by evaluating the style of leadership and administrative management, with the goal of generating a positive long-term impact on all stakeholders within the organization. The research adopted a correlational, quantitative approach with a non-experimental design. A sample of 55 university teachers was established, and data were collected through a questionnaire. This instrument facilitated the collection of statistical data, which were subsequently analyzed. The reliability of the questionnaire, measured by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was 0.979 and was validated by academics with doctoral degrees and experts in the field. The research thus gathered significant data, which, after processing, indicated a direct relationship between the role of leadership and the performance of teachers. It also showed how teachers, when exposed to a certain type of leadership, tend to improve their performance and enhance the quality of education.

Elevating Scientific Writing in Higher Education: Inquiry-Based Learning as a Tool for Training Competent Researchers

Purpose: The present study examined the relationship between scientific writing and the formation of competent researchers with research-based learning as a starting point. Theoretical Framework: It was based on the fundamentals of research and the ways of providing that knowledge to future researchers, as well as theories of scientific writing and researcher training. Previous studies addressing the relationship between inquiry-based learning with scientific writing and the formation of competent researchers were reviewed, identifying the key elements that contribute to the success of this strategy. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research with a cross-sectional non-experimental design was developed with the participation of 118 university students from a university in the Loreto region of Peru. Findings: A significant relationship was found between research-based learning and scientific writing (p&lt;0.005) in which the formation of competent researchers partially had this relationship. The results indicated that the university students who were part of the study had better scientific writing. Research, practical &amp; social implications: It can be affirmed that research-based learning is important to improve scientific writing, since it allows to have a better formation of competent researchers. Originality/value: This study contributes original value to the field of higher education by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of research-based learning to strengthen scientific writing and the formation of competent researchers in Peruvian university students.

University Research, Climate and Organizational Culture in a Peruvian University

Objective: To determine the relationship between the participation of engineering faculty students in university research, climate and organizational culture in a Peruvian university. Theoretical Framework: Science research as a development of scientific competencies is a way of learning production and learning development in the promotion of critical thinking and argumentative forms in the growth and ability to interact among students with scientific level research (Valdiviezo, 2023). Method: The research is basic, non-experimental, descriptive and correlational level; providing scopes for an adequate progress of the strategic objectives of the university institution with a quantitative approach (Hernández &amp; Mendoza, 2018). Methods, techniques and instruments were applied for the collection of information for the treatment, analysis and presentation of results (Sánchez &amp; Reyes, 2015). Results and Discussion: It was evidenced the existence of correlation between the study variables University research and Organizational climate (rho=0.442 and p=0.000&lt;0.05) as well as between University research and Organizational culture (rho=0.328; p=0.000&lt;0.05 ), being a moderate positive correlation. Research Implications: Scientific production is a fundamental part of the university professor's activity and dissemination through the publication of scientific articles has become an essential pillar (Delgado et al., 2021). Originality/Value: The research will contribute to the improvement of scientific research processes in universities by promoting a climate and culture of research character to generate the conditions for the development of research projects and the participation of the university community.

Body Mass Index, Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle, and Breakfast Consumption Associated with Religious Affiliation in Peruvian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Despite evidence suggesting a relationship between religiosity and health habits, there is a paucity of studies specifically examining this association in the context of Peruvian university students. This study compared body mass index (BMI), adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and breakfast consumption in Peruvian university students of four religious denominations: Seventh Day Adventists (SDA), Catholics, Baptists, and Evangelicals. A cross-sectional study was conducted online among 4557 students from a Peruvian university. The BMI and the frequency of breakfast consumption were evaluated, and the Diet and Healthy Lifestyle Scale (DEVS) was applied. The variables studied were associated using simple and multiple linear regression and Poisson models with robust variance. Baptist (B = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.10-0.78; p = 0.011), Catholic (B = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.12-0.47; p = 0.001), and Evangelical (B = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.64; p = 0.014) students had a significantly higher BMI compared to SDA. Baptist (B = -0.2, 95% CI: -0.37--0.05; p = 0.017) and Evangelical (B = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.28--0.03; p = 0.012) students exhibited a lower mean score on the measure of healthy lifestyles compared to SDA students. Additionally, Baptist (PR = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.92--0.12; p = 0.035) and Catholic (PR = -0.3, 95% CI: -0.99--0.19; p = 0.016) students exhibited a lower probability of eating breakfast regularly compared to SDA students. Health professionals should consider these findings when designing and implementing health promotion programs that are culturally sensitive and respectful of the beliefs and practices of all religious groups in university settings.