A number of citation studies have supported the view that the "graying" of the academic profession will have no impact on the quality of work produced in various scientific disciplines. This conclusion is challenged and it is argued that citations may not indicate the most innovative and creative work. (Author/MLW)

This study surveyed 50 full-time faculty from a doctoral-granting institution regarding their definition of faculty scholarship, through naming and describing scholars. An inventory of 249 attributes of faculty scholarship resulted, confirming the complexity of the faculty scholarship construct. (The inventory is appended.) (Author/DB)

This study attempts to unravel the complex relationships between faculty entrepreneurialism and teaching. Specifically, this study (1) compares the extent of entrepreneurial activities (i.e., using funds for research and consulting activity) across disciplinary fields and levels of teaching commitment and (2) examines the relative effects of…

What transpires when an institution of higher education is the defendant in a class action suit charging prejudicial treatment of a minority group is summarized. A demonstration of how the plaintiffs can use the institution's own data to establish a prima facie case for disparate treatment is presented. (Author/MLW)

The problem of declining opportunities for young doctorates primarily due to reductions or leveling of enrollments coupled with low faculty turnover is addressed. Alternatives are discussed for maintaining or improving U.S. research efforts through greater use of young researchers. (Author/MLW)

The research on college students published between 1969 and 1983 in 11 periodicals was used to examine the substantive topics and research methods preferred by male and female authors. Gender differences persisted over the 15 year period and became sharper after 1975. (Author/MLW)

Seven institutional research maxims based on research and theory about how people cognitively process information are discussed: more may not be better; augment humans with models; chunk data wisely; know decision-makers; heuristics are not always helpful; arrange tables by patterns; and accept negative evidence and new hypotheses. (Author/MLW)

A study of research faculty in Texas employed the theoretical framework proposed by Alvin Gouldner, who theorized that the most privileged academics hold the most conservative social and academic views. These "gatekeepers" control professional dogma, and by means of editorships and board memberships establish normative behavior for the…

Survey data from 458 former health science graduate students were examined for correlations between variables that might be used in selecting research training award recipients and successful training outcome defined as a highly productive research career. Four variables that showed promise as useful indicators of posttraining research are…

A study investigated the knowledge and skills of college and university institutional researchers (n=601) in relation to their perceptions of the effectiveness of their work. Analysis found that relationships between background characteristics, knowledge and skills in institutional research, and perceptions of effectiveness were minimal.…

Institutions of higher education are looked to by society as the training grounds and gatekeepers for college-trained workers. However, despite a long history of being viewed by many as unresponsive to labor force needs, the academy has not found ways of effectively meeting these demands, nor articulating why it is that they have difficulty doing…

A survey of 243 New England colleges and universities found a strong relationship between institution size and the scope of its institutional research function, reporting relationship, and size and qualifications of the research staff. Size of staff and qualifications of the institutional director were significant predictors of involvement in…