Autoavaliação na pós-graduação: uma análise dos cursos de mestrado da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Campus Erechim/RS

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the documents of self-assessment of stricto sensu postgraduate programs of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Erechim campus, in order to answer the research problem: how the stricto sensu postgraduate programs of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim campus, are developing the process of self-assessment of master's degree courses? The main goal of the analysis is to find out how these programs are developing the Self-Assessment process of their Master's courses. For this purpose, some specific objectives were established, such as: identifying the participation format of the individuals in the self-assessment process, verifying the procedures used to prepare the self assessments of the courses, identifying the steps taken by the Self-Assessment Committees after analyzing the results of the surveys and verifying how the reports are publicized in the institution. The methodological path used in the study has begun with a bibliographic research, followed by a State of Knowledge research and a documentary research. Among the main results of the bibliographic research, it stands out that postgraduate studies are the ideal phase to deepen academic education in the tripod of teaching, research and outreach and, thereby, to qualify the student for professional practice. In order to do this, the Self-Assessment of Postgraduate Programs, through appropriate instruments for data collection, becomes an indispensable tool for identifying and correcting weaknesses, as well as expanding potential. A State of Knowledge survey was also carried out in order to find out what has been published on the theme of Self-Evaluation in Postgraduate Studies. The surveys confirmed the importance of using appropriate mechanisms to obtain information from the people involved in conducting the Self-Assessment and the indispensability of collective participation throughout the process. It was also found that there are few publications in this area, endorsing the realization of this research. Finally, based on documentary analysis, the Self-Assessment Reports of the stricto sensu Postgraduate Programs of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim campus, were explored, including the Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Technology (PPGCTA – Master’s Degree), The Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree in Human Sciences (PPGICH), Master’s in Education (Professional) (PPGPE) and The Postgraduate Program in Geography (PPGGeo), through the data available on the institutional website, as well as in the videos of the PPGICH and PPGPE Self-Assessment Seminars available on the YouTube Channel. From the examination of the objectives of this research, the following Categories of Analysis were established: i) Processes of preparation and execution of the Self-Assessment of the Master's Courses of the UFFS, Erechim campus; ii) Publicization of the results and referrals made after the Self-Assessments of the Master's Courses of the UFFS, Erechim campus. After analysis, it was possible to identify that the Postgraduate Programs conduct the Self-Assessment procedures in different ways, due to the discretionary nature of each of them and the peculiarities of the Area Documents and the Assessment Sheets of the Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES). Concerning the first category, it was possible to identify that the data collection for the Self-Assessment of the PPGCTA and PPGGeo is done by the Self-Assessment Committee of the respective Program, while in the PPGICH and PPGPE, the Self-Assessment Committee provides questionnaires to collect information from the target audience (teachers, students, graduates and Technical and Administrative Staff). Related to the second category, it was found that PPGCTA and PPGGeo accomplish Internal Seminars to present the results of the self-evaluation, and that PPGICH and PPGPE promote Seminars open to the public through the YouTube Channel of the respective Program, to which faculty members from outside the UFFS are also invited to contribute to the discussions about the topic of self-evaluation. At the end of the self-evaluation cycle, the Committees of the four Programs produce Reports and, based on the results, elaborate and/or review the Strategic Plans to implement the adjustments identified in the survey. In addition it was noted that the PPGICH and PPGPE make these Reports available in a specific tab on the institutional page of the respective program. At the end of the research, a Diagnosis was prepared, entitled “Diagnosis of the Self-Assessment Processes of the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Programs of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Erechim campus”, which constitutes the Educational Product, a requirement of the Professional Master's Degree. It is expected that this work may add reflections on the system of Self-Assessment in stricto sensu Postgraduate Programs for the continuous improvement on education of Brazilian Postgraduate studies.