Effect of research culture on university scientific output: evidence from a structural model in southern Peru

The objective of the study was to analyze the predictive relationship between research culture and scientific output at the National University of Moquegua (UNAM), Peru, during the year 2023. The research is basic in nature, with a quantitative approach, explanatory level, and non-experimental design. The survey technique was applied to a stratified sample of 151 employees, consisting of 60 teachers and 91 recent students. Structural equation models (SEM) with the MLR estimator were used for data analysis. The structural model for the teaching stratum presented optimal fit indices ( X 2 /gl = 0.005; CFI = 1.000; SRMR = 0.002), indicating that research culture significantly predicts scientific output ( β = 0.734, p = 0.013), explaining 53.9% of its variance ( R 2 = 0.539). In the student stratum, robust fit indices were obtained ( X 2 /gl = 1.81; CFI = 0.996; SRMR = 0.014), where research culture emerged as a critical predictor ( β = 0.983, p = 0.001) explaining 96.6% of the variance ( R 2 = 0.966). It is concluded that a highly developed research culture is substantially associated with high levels of scientific production. In other words, the greater the research culture, the greater the scientific production, indicating that it is essential to strengthen research groups and seedbeds in order to raise the scientific standing of the university.