The objective of the study is to propose a formative research model with the aim of improving research skills in students of a university in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador. The methodological approach used is quantitative and descriptive-prepositive, using a non-experimental design of transactional scope. The information for the situational diagnosis was collected through surveys and questionnaires. The results show that the evaluation of formative research is distributed in the levels of "high" with 48.1%, "medium" with 51.4% and "low" with 0.5%. Similarly, the achievement of investigative skills is divided into: "high" with 59%, "medium" with 40.1% and "low" with 0.9%. In addition, Pearson's "r" correlation was 0.33, indicating a significant positive correlation. Concluding that there is a direct effect between formative research with investigative skills, coming to present a solution proposal that addresses directly.