[Is epistemological meditation a feature of scientific activity?].
BACKGROUND
In research activities, critical thinking about mechanisms that control the selection of certain knowledge forms and correlative practices are unusual.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the levels of epistemological meditation in professional groups with different grades of expertise in research field.


METHODS
Prolective, comparative, cross-sectional study by means of validated questionnaire that measure posture (consistence in points of view about diverse scientific conceptions and activities), main indicator of epistemological meditation level. Three groups were included: 25 professional biomedical researchers (group "A"), 22 postgraduate professors of health sciences (group "B") and 16 postgraduate students of social sciences (group "C").


RESULTS
Most participants showed low scores in posture with not significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). However, group "B" after an educational intervention, showed significant increase in consistence points of view (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Epistemological meditation about scientific work is not a feature of research activities in studied groups. The grades of expertise in research field do not have influence in posture development.
Peralta-Heredia
Irma Concepción
IC
Centro de Investigación Educativa y Formación Docente, IMSS de Guadalajara, Jal. irma.peralta@imss.gob.mx
Viniegra-Velázquez
Leonardo
L
González-Reyes
Héctor Fernando
HF
Luce-González
Elba Graciela
EG
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019359:Knowledge; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires