This article presents 10 examples of research that illustrate applications of research to real needs and the competent practitioner's need for research skills. Each example includes a description of a project that served as the research opportunity, the prompt that triggered the research, and the research activity. (MBR)

Recent French reforms in the university system and their implications for doctoral research are criticized as adding constraints without improvements, and a new approach to assessing the quality of doctoral theses is proposed. (MSE)

The importance of research training for the undergraduate psychology major is examined. Undergraduate research projects should provide experience in generating a design, implementing the project, writing the report, and presenting it to others. Research training courses should be tailored to fit both the individual student's needs and abilities…

Assumptions that many academic psychologists have concerning the undergraduate research experience are reviewed, and comparisons are made to the educational process in the physical and natural sciences. In addition, the development of undergraduate research conferences is discussed in terms of some general assumptions about science education in…

A University of Canberra (Australia) program pairs new researchers with experienced researchers as mentors. Mentoring is supplemented with a workshop on research skills and on researchers' issues, questions, and projects. Participants benefitted from support of mentors and other peers. Mentors assisted participants with specific aspects of their…

Describes National History Day, an annual event in which students compete for state and national prizes awarded for the quality of their self-selected historical research projects. Evaluates the contest as an educational program, suggesting some implications it has for the teaching of history in the schools. Describes various student experiences…

Guidelines for developing effective research assignments were distributed to University of Colorado, Boulder, teaching assistants and faculty by the Instructional Services Librarian. Suggestions concerning what to do (i.e., clarify research objectives, schedule library presentation) and what not to do (i.e., limit research to particular index or…

Provides a capsule description of a library research course in ancient Greek civilizations which was team-taught by a humanities professor and a reference librarian. Course objectives, research projects, commentary by librarian and professor, and applicability of the approach in other colleges and universities are discussed. Five sources are…

Seven articles on higher education and research and development in Australia are presented, along with 12 review articles. "Research into Postgraduate Education" (Ernest Rudd) reviews such topics as admission criteria, student characteristics, form and quality of instruction, and the employment market. "Postgraduate Education…

Describes how the author's opinion of contests for students changed from generally negative to overwhelmingly positive after he had experience with them. Recounts his experiences with the contests and describes the projects entered by his history students. Concludes that contests can work well in motivating students to write research papers. (AEM)

Discusses the skills, attitudes, and work habits necessary for conducting research in music education. Describes the process used in a historical research study about the impact of Lowell Mason on music in U.S. history. Concludes with six practical suggestions on historical research. (CFR)

Discusses use of online legal research databases in British law schools, priorities of legal research education, and role of law librarians; reviews implications of online systems; and describes a methods course which provides a comparative approach to traditional and online legal research and integrates research education within the curriculum.…

The role of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in encouraging research through the programs and activities of the member schools is discussed. It is suggested that the dean or administrative head of a college of nursing is in a position to influence nursing research activities. The principal role of the academic dean in…

Four papers presented at a seminar on graduate education sponsored by the Advisory Centre for University Education at The University of Adelaide and the Flinders University Educational Research Unit in Australia are presented. In "Teaching and Learning in Graduate Education: An Overview," Robert Cannon provides a background summary of developments…

The behavioral and social sciences offer the best perspective on changing individual and group behaviors and stopping the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Social psychologists interested in basic research and/or theoretical issues have an opportunity to study naturally occurring independent variables. A potential area for…