Thesis or Degree-by-examination? a Dilemma for Research Training

Nursery Schools in the ecuadorian educational system urges teachers with a solid research training that allows them to have a positive impact on the new educational contexts. One factor linked to this process is the preparation of the degree work or the degree examination that the student must perform prior to graduation. The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which the research training of Nursery School at the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana is affected by the application of the new regulations that include a final test as an alternative to a research in order to obtain an undergraduate degree. For this, the process of graduation of this career in the academic period (2015-2016) is analyzed through some principles of critical pedagogy. The data reveal, on one hand, the increase of efficiency with the application of the exams of degree; and, on the other, the reduction of investigative experiences of the degree work, which is affecting the research training of future nursery teachers. The conclusion reached is that research training must be signified by the career and within it the research work needs to be repotenced to fulfill its educational goals.