Reviews the contributions of field studies conducted in the areas of educational administration and policy, including organizational processes, education politics, and leadership and decision making. Suggests new directions in educational policy that field research could explore. (GC)

Proposes pragmatic agenda for future developmental supervision research and a "moratorium" on new or improved developmental supervision models, self-reports, and on research limited to academic settings. Encourages researchers to explore pragmatic questions about actual conduct of effective counseling supervision. (Author/CM)

Good educational practice relies increasingly on educational data, yet much of the present research findings are inconclusive or inapplicable. Difficulties in obtaining time, money, subjects, and appropriate designs have hindered experimental research studies. (FG)

Discusses the functions of educational research. Examines differences between decision-oriented research and conclusion-oriented research. Urges researchers to improve the quality of their writing. (FMW)

The author suggests a conference sponsored jointly by the Comparative Education Society and the British Educational Research Association to discuss the potential and problems of case study based on fieldwork because he believes this form of study is the best approach to understanding the educational process and educational institutions. (KC)

A code of conduct for qualitative field studies is necessary to identify standards of good work and to prevent or expose unethical behavior. The cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, wisdom, and courage apply to qualitative field research, but ethics also requires asking about the purpose of the research itself. The researcher must ask why the…

The desire to abolish the gap between research theory and classroom practice has sparked an increasing interest in field-based research among science educators. Although most researchers are aware of the standard meanings of informed consent and confidentiality, and there are some codes of ethical principles published by such groups as the…

Purposes of research in higher education, the issue of research paradigms, and the identification of research questions are discussed in this keynote panel paper. Different purposes of research include conceptual and theoretical development, relating theory and practice, and improving practice. Higher education as a field has not yet given much…

This paper argues that involvement in higher education policy research and development is important for college faculty since not doing so leaves the field to others who may not exhibit sufficient objectivity or adequately emphasize the goals of understanding, effectiveness, and efficiency. First, it identifies some general problems of policy…

"If the research in higher education ended, it would scarcely be missed." This is the time when excellent research and scholarship about higher learning and its institutions is needed, yet the study of this national resource is at a low ebb. The reasons for low appraisals of research are discussed. (MLW)

The tendency of higher education researchers to focus on discovery and not practice- and policy-relevant research will not garner the needed public support. Attention should be directed to addressing issues confronting practitioners and policymakers, contributing to the solution of important current problems, communicating better with…

Discusses the complexity facing South African researchers in higher education as they try to overcome the heritage of the old, fragmented higher education system. Necessary paradigm shifts are identified, as are focus areas for improving the quality of South African higher education research at both national and institutional levels. (DB)

This historical overview of higher education research in South Africa finds that research foci and methods have been shaped by the political agenda of the "old" South Africa. Identifies issues, such as redressing past inequalities, which higher education must address as part of the transformation process of both higher education and…

Argues that comparative studies in higher education are helpful in conceptual restructuring and in understanding how higher education is shaped by common international trends, reforms based on comparisons, increasing trans-national cooperation, and some supra-national integration of systems. Recommends a semi-structured research design allowing…

Despite the growing contributions of community college institutes and associations to educational research, most university-based colleges of education still minimize the value of this research and often contain only one professor whose primary interest and/or expertise is community colleges. To address this issue, researchers should make efforts…