Necessary Competencies for The Completion of a Thesis: Students’ Perceptions

Research is a core skill in university education, which allows students to develop knowledge and skills to intervene in their professional field. However, there are areas of opportunity to complete an investigation, and the context of the present study is no exception. According to this background, the objective is to characterize the students’ competencies to develop a thesis and identify obstacles in its preparation, presentation, and defense. Concerning methodology, a transversal quantitative approach was used by applying a questionnaire, finding that participants manage some techniques, abilities, competencies, and knowledge and identifying difficulties centered on lack of knowledge and investigative skills. In conclusion, students do not complete their work because theoretical foundations are not put into practice since there are ambiguities in knowledge conceptualization and the operationalization of research skills. The contribution of this study lies in identifying the difficulties in preparing a thesis, which can allow teachers to design an appropriate didactic intervention to meet students’ needs for the successful completion of their research and foster interest in the inquiry.