Explains that near-death research is moving in three directions: (1) the ongoing accumulation of knowledge on the near-death experience through scientifically derived studies; (2) the examination of post-mortem survival; and (3) the clinical application of the findings of near- death research. (Author/RC)

Describes the new era of industrial research in America and the origins of U.S. industrial research in the nineteenth century which led to current traditions and philosophy. Meeting future expectations is seen as requiring broader science, much of it from academia and licensing. (Author/SA)

Summarizes recent findings reported in a two-volume publication, "Science Policy: USA/USSR," issued by the National Science Foundation. Volumes I and II review U.S. and Soviet science policy in research and development, respectively. Comparisons are made concerning common problems around energy, environment, and the meaning of security.…

Examined are the number and distribution of persons engaged in research and development in the U.S.S.R. Quantitative comparisons are made between Soviet and U.S. research and development employment. Data indicate that the estimated number of scientists and engineers in the U.S.S.R. substantially exceeds the number in the U.S. (Author/CS)

Summarizes and comments on three presentations relative to the life sciences and medicine given at the October 1995 working symposium of the Project on Conflict of Interest in University-Industry Research Relationships and included in this issue. Discusses the work of medical researcher David Blumenthal, political scientist Mark Frankel, and…

Reviews the status of academic-industry relationships (AIRs) in the life sciences from both ethical and empirical perspectives, identifying ethical issues that have been resolved and those that must still be debated. Concludes that more research is needed on both the positive and negative effects of AIRs, especially in the development of better…

Fundamental changes in the organization of the Netherlands' graduate-level research training are described and analyzed in light of three related policies: the restructuring of the Dutch higher education system into two stages, formulation of an explicit research policy for universities, and the restructuring of academic staff. (MSE)

A scientific, rule-governed approach to solving problems suggests the following assumptions: we need different rules for different purposes; rules are grounded in values; the origins and applications of rules are often misunderstood; personal experience and idea popularity are unreliable; and all truths are tentative. Each assumption is related to…

A case is made that the term "science" in reference to special education is misused, and that the methods of empiricist science are inappropriately applied to the study of special education. Article concludes that many of the criticisms leveled at special education can be traced back to this misunderstanding of science. (Author/CR)

Provides a background on the use of the digital computer to support visualization in scientific computing (scientific visualization). Includes an example of scientific and nonscientific visualization. Reviews both scientific and other visualization research literature; development; and applications organized around a model of visualization…

Goal: Educators believe that parents can help their children learn to read. But what evidence supports this belief? And if parent involvement does matter, what kinds of parent involvement are most efficient? The goal of this report was to review the scientific literature on parent involvement in the acquisition of reading from kindergarten to…

Several bodies of literature that shed light on some aspects of the relationship between information technology (IT) and research practice in science and engineering are reviewed. Subjects include: (1) the importance of calculation in research endeavors; (2) productivity in science and technology; (3) the philosophical differences between science…

Recent research which focuses on organizational differences in the brains of males and females has an important impact on the way women are portrayed in the male-dominated mass media. Generalizations from highly speculative research findings conclude that information is gathered and problems are solved differently by men and women. Most…

This description of the characteristics of scientific and technical information databases in France highlights database production and distribution across scientific fields regional distribution of producers, types of data included, recency of creation of databases, and users of databases. (4 references) (CLB)

Examines ways in which behavioral and social science can contribute to the stability of the modern partnership between government, academia, and science. Stresses the role researchers can play in the legislative process. Summarizes related articles in the same journal issue. (KH)