Perceptions of teachers and rectors of educational institutions of level Middle of the city of Popayán Colombia, on formative research. It deepens in the review of theoretical-scientific foundations of public policies in research through a systematic mapping of information and the analysis of a structure based on semi-structured interviews, comparing postulates versus the approach to public policies focused on research with the organization of roles in teachers and principals. As a tool to support the analysis, the ATLAS.ti specialized software in version 8.0, generating a set of codes and typifications; observing the roles and functions that teachers perform to the formative research process. Finally, an analysis is made of the impact of formative research for the life project of teachers and principals identified in each role.