Examines factors that might explain the increased interest in research on school effectiveness; summarizes three articles that deal with school improvement and effectiveness research; and stresses the importance of using exceptional schools' research in developing school improvement strategies. (MJL)

Describes four stages of policy formulation (issue definition, deliberation on policy options, authoritative allocation, and performance oversight) and four types of policy-relevant social research (descriptive, explanatory, critical, and forecasting). Proposes a model showing the linkages among research types, policy-making stages, and policy…

Part of a special issue on organizational research utilization, this article reviews 27 empirical studies on the utilization of social science research. Its conceptual framework for utilization includes action generation, information processing, affective bonding, and strategy formulation and control. The authors identify 3 types of utilization…

Argues that those in charge of teacher evaluation should recognize research as a basis for structuring their observation and appraisal activities. (FL)

It has now become fashionable to base conservative social policy and political decisions on the reports of neoconservative social scientists. Thus, it is important to examine the political and historical context of the new Coleman report, which purports to have found evidence against busing for school desegregation. (Author/GC)

The author considers reasons for the time delay between research findings and classroom application, examines research on teaching math and spelling to the learning disabled (LD) student, and reviews the status of the controversy over process or modality training for LD students. (CL)

Discusses trends in two-year college research, defines research, and poses questions that must be answered before research can be used effectively in management. Outlines steps in a decision-making system that converts data into planning concepts. Explains the need for a master plan and describes the master-planning process. (DD)

As trade unions in India are expanding their educational services, it becomes apparent that research is needed to support the expansion and diversification. International organizations can aid in the financial support of research and dissemination of the results. (SK)

Discusses the differing opinions that result from educational, economic, and sociological inquiry into the outcomes and impact of formal schooling; concludes that economic and sociological analyses of educational outcomes help clarify the functions and purposes of school and college curricula. (LRA)

Evaluation research is a new area of interest, and provokes many questions about the appropriate direction for its development. Whether it should be an independent discipline or a specialty within other fields is argued. Approaches to training so as to permit development of a model are suggested. (Author/GK)

Suggestions are made for applying research findings to the teaching of physical education. (JD)

Defines validation as a process by which researchers evaluate the trustworthiness of a study through a tacit understanding of actual practices. Proposes an approach to validation based on the concept of exemplars--concrete models of research practice. Uses three studies of narrative--life history, oral narrative, and narrative strategy--as…

A historical and conceptual review of the origins of divisions that have arisen in the field of educational research highlights both methodological and substantive issues that have resulted from significant growth in social science research. A unity of educational research is emerging to guide more productive future research efforts. (CB)

Presents some of the conventional arguments against computer assisted instruction (CAI) in language education and explores humanistic concerns raised in the works of Marshall McLuhan. It is concluded that CAI is introduced into the instructional process before proper research has demonstrated that this method of teaching is not harmful for…

Discussion with an African-American mental health group in Britain demonstrate the politics involved in the relationship between knowledge and power. Transformative research is seen as part of the politics of postmodernism--the shift from Eurocentrism and the influence of research on political agendas and the balance of power. (SK)