Research-Teaching from the Perspective of a Humanistic Researcher

The central objective of this study was to identify patterns in the meanings the humanistic researcher assigns to his scientific work in order to reveal the relationship established between an academic's research and teaching functions. Using a phenomenological approach, the methodology that makes it possible to enter the researchers' world is based on a sequence of qualitative methods: hermeneutics and ethnography, using various techniques, such as audiovisual field recordings, in-depth interviews and nonparticipant observation, among others. The collected information was analyzed seeking to identify emerging categories for the primary data in order to formulate the theory used by the researchers. Results showed that one of the most important categories refers to the dual role of teacher and researcher, indissoluble and prioritary in the institutional goals met during academic performance. The intertwined vision with which the researchers observe these two vital areas in the university can be analyzed from four perspectives: the link the institution should foster between research and teaching, the attitude of the teacher-researcher, knowledge transfer during the teaching process and the training of new researchers.