Loss of membership in the national system of researchers: Research findings

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the findings regarding the meanings and interpretations that an intentional sample of 14 academics from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) grant to the loss of the distinction granted by the National System of Researchers (SNI) and the latent possibility that this will occur in each evaluation process. Grounded theory was used as a methodology and an epistemological approach. Open, axial, and selective coding proposed by Strauss and Corbin (2002) was used for data analysis. Among the most relevant findings include: the economic and personal aspects associated with the loss of distinction; the lack of academic productivity due to the lost privilege of administrative positions and activities; the institutional need to support the purchase of laboratory reagents to avoid loss of appointment; and the belief that leaving the SNI will damage credibility. In addition, the conclusions propose the concept of the breakdown or collapse of the distinction, a concept that emerges from the narratives of the informants, the process of categorization, and the interpretations made.