An opportunistic experiment is a type of randomized controlled trial that studies the effects of a planned intervention or policy change with minimal added disruption and cost. This guide defines opportunistic experiments and provides examples, discusses issues to consider when identifying potential opportunistic experiments, and outlines the…

This document contains a compendium of research on the recruitment of college-educated personnel. The objectives of this publication are to help individuals involved in recruitment learn the research findings of studies conducted in the field and to provide guidance to researchers in the field regarding areas needing study. The introduction…

Thirty-five experts from several fields of research participated in a discussion to explore whether future research is needed on issues related to teacher quality, what kinds of research are needed, and in particular, what issues could best be addressed by a National Research Council study of teacher quality in elementary/secondary science and…

Although undergraduate admission has undergone intense market analysis, those same techniques have not been utilized at professional schools. A correlation analysis was performed at New Jersey's Drew University Theological School that located a surprise variable, in this case characteristics of undergraduate schools attended, significant to the…

Although college missions, goals, and resources vary widely, institutions can assess the impact of financial aid and make strategic decisions to advance enrollment objectives. Such research requires specification of institutional goals and the relative priority of quality, quantity, diversity, and cost, and data on previous cohorts. New…

An analysis of higher education marketing examines a case study of a college's market research program, a series of market research projects, and a major study of students and parents in six metropolitan areas (the Six-Market Study). After introducing marketing concepts and strategies, the nature of higher education marketing is considered. The…

Describes how formative data on enrollment patterns and class offerings are collected and used at Oklahoma City Community College in marketing and scheduling. Evaluates the research effort in terms of its value in long-range strategic planning and managed decision making in day-to-day activities. (DMM)

Argues that community college vitality is directly proportional to the integration of the comfort and confidence levels of personnel involved in public relations, institutional research, and college leadership. Considers Miami-Dade Community College's use of data on student demographics, achievement test results, student satisfaction, and…

This research study, still in the data collection stage, analyzes teacher recruitment among nine Winnipeg area school divisions by describing practices and decision-making criteria. The report focuses on three elements in the decision-making process as defined by Lipham--decision stages, decision involvement, and decision content. Data were…

Topics concerning the adult learner that are relevant to institutional researchers are addressed in four articles: marketing, predicting success for adult students, enrollment projection, and follow-up studies of adult learners. In "Institutional Research in Support of Marketing the Adult Student," Lydia Jurand notes the importance of…

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of teacher selection practices with reference to literature sources and recommends experimentation with a structured interview approach based on life style themes. The first variable in selection involves identification of characteristics of effective teachers. Some agreement concerning particular teaching…

Many reports have pointed to the need to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching in schools in the United States and to alleviate the shortage of qualified teachers. A policy focus on the teaching force is reinforced by the fact that the ability of the United States to compete in an increasingly technological world economy depends…