Abstract

AGUADO-LOPEZ, Eduardo  and  BECERRIL-GARCIA, Arianna. Performativity in Mexican Science: The SNI Evaluation Device. Rev. mex. cienc. polít. soc [online]. 2021, vol.66, n.243, pp.19-53.  Epub Jan 31, 2022. ISSN 0185-1918.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fcpys.2448492xe.2021.243.76695.

The transformation (1984-2020) of the scientific assessment of the National System of Researchers (SNI) of Mexico is analyzed here, based on the Agreement of Creation, Regulations, Calls and Specific Evaluation Criteria, with emphasis on the latter, for areas IV. Humanities and Behavioral Sciences and V. Social Sciences. Three evaluation stages are identified: 1) 1984-1998, characterized by a qualitative-subjective evaluation based on the assessment of the academic communities represented by the Evaluation Commissions; 2) 1999-2015, defined by the consolidation of the standardization, classification and quantification of research activity; 3) 2016-2020, characterized by the orientation of research activity toward mainstream science, which in turn might be defined in terms of validation and legitimization. The present analysis addresses the historicity of the SNI system to be considered from the perspective of the evaluation mechanisms and their transformation over time, as a performative device that constructs a particular figure of an international researcher based on the globally validated and legitimized concepts of quality and impact through the circulation of scientific output in the mainstream science.

Keywords : scientific assessment; National System of Researchers; SNI; performativity; impact factor.