Research groups in Physical Education graduate programs in Brazil: trend analysis from 2000 to 2008

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the evolution of research groups in Physical Education graduate programs in Brazil and their respective scientific production in the period from 2000 to 2008. This was a descriptive study, including secondary data analysis conducted in 2010 with information from the Directory of Research Groups in Brazil of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). We analyzed the growth of the research groups, researchers and students to research groups ratio, national and international manuscripts production, books, and book chapters, according to geographical regions, years of data collection, and number of courses in Physical Education, researchers and students. We used descriptive statistics (ratios, absolute and relative frequencies) for analysis. The first research group in Physical Education in Brazil was created in the 80's, and in 2008 totalized 387. There was a decrease of the representativeness of groups created in institutions with graduate programs (up to 2000: 75.6% 2005-2008: 43.9%). In 2000, there were 453 researchers and 479 students in physical education courses. We identified an increase in the years 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, compared to their previous years (researchers: 89%, 71%, 34% and 27% increase; students: 83%, 76%, 42% and 41 increase, respectively). Evolution was also observed in the publication of papers of national circulation; gradual increase in those with international circulation and no significant change in book and book chapters publications. The growing number of research groups and scientific publications parallels the development and consolidation of Physical Education as an academic area.