Discipline-based education researchers have a natural laboratory--classrooms, programs, colleges, and universities. Studies that administer treatments to multiple sections, in multiple years, or at multiple institutions are particularly compelling for two reasons: first, the sample sizes increase, and second, the implementation of the treatments…

The National Science Foundation funded a synthesis study on the status, contributions, and future direction of discipline-based education research (DBER) in physics, biological sciences, geosciences, and chemistry. DBER combines knowledge of teaching and learning with deep knowledge of discipline-specific science content. It describes the…

Despite several decades of research into the teaching and learning of Science/Chemistry, at both secondary and tertiary level, it has had relatively little impact on practice. In many countries interest in studying Science at school and university is falling, and there is concern over falling numbers and falling standards. There is a changing…

This report consists of two parts. Part 1 provides an inventory of past and present funding instruments in support of university research. It lists types of grants used for research-related purposes and gives information about their provisions and uses. Part 2 provides an assessment conducted by the General Accounting Office of the comparative…

Announces and presents highlights from a new report from NSF "Proposal Review at NSF: Perceptions of Principal Investigators." This report presents the results of a 1986 NSF survey of 14,000 applicants from academic institutions whose proposals for research support had been awarded or declined during 1985. (CW)

Explains the need, general guidelines, expectations, and advantages of student involvement in research at the undergraduate level. Lists selected research projects conducted by students at Burlington County College. (RT)

Examined is how research informs and influences the practice of science education. Discussed are past focuses on treatments, present focuses on students' ideas, and developing styles of research. (YP)

Criticized in this response is research published previously in "The Journal of Environmental Education." Considered are the limitations of the project, experimental design, control of variables, and the use of the case study approach. Includes 35 references. (CW)

Discusses the partnership that exists between a zoo and a college in the linking of research and teaching in undergraduate education for the preparation of future scientists. Lists zoo-related projects conducted by various fields of study. States that this type of relationship promotes student interest in science. (RT)

Discusses the increasing trend toward the pork-barrel funding of science projects, particularly for grants to academic institutions. Addresses the new strategies being employed by opponents of such funding. Describes some of the possible ramifications of the various strategies and the perceived link between science funding and economic growth. (TW)

This article offers five research criteria and their rationale to help researchers avoid problems and to help them improve research. Improving research should improve the quality of science teaching. The treatment of causal hypotheses is stressed. (Author/CW)

Gives an overview of the intellectual and social structure of science in the United States since the mid-1960s. Discusses some factors responsible for establishing new research directions. Describes the change of the meaning of "inquiry," circumstances, and research style. (Author/YP)

The advantages and justifications for using small animals in human-oriented research are reviewed. Some of the pitfalls of extrapolating animal-derived data to humans are discussed. Several specific problems with animal experimentation are highlighted. (CW)

This document concerns the operation and evaluation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) program. Included with a general letter addressing the operation of the program are several appendices which attempt to answer the questions put forth in the letter. These appendices include considerations of: (1)…

Provides a summary of some of the recent activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from the perspective of the current director. Emphasizes making NIH better known to the American people and presenting the attractions of the many roles in health-related research to young people formulating career plans. (TW)