The research competencies of the teaching staff are a fundamental tool for strengthening the research culture and academic quality in universities, associated with the improvement of capacities to promote research and increase scientific productivity. Hence the relevance of the study that analyzes the research competencies of full-time teachers, obtained through a questionnaire validated by experts and with Cronbach's Alpha reliability of 0.90, applied to a sample of 405 teachers from an Ecuadorian university. Based on the mixed approach and non-experimental research design, the teaching potential is examined, through multiple regression analysis, which included the correlation between the variables that make up the research capacity as a whole; This allowed to detect the impact of each particular competence on the total investigative competence. The results reveal that only 9% of professors present "very good competence", 48% show "good" competence and 43% show an "insufficient" level. Evidence that manifests ignorance in the application of research paradigms, methods and designs, explained by the administrative burden imposed. It is concluded that there is little significant relationship between scientific competences and the research culture of the institution.