This booklet offers guidance for increasing the dissemination and utilization of information (especially federally funded disability research) through development of user-friendly materials and alternate formats. Individual sections address: the distinction between alternate formats and accessibility, suggested policies to help define approaches…

Relevant studies from curriculum research are reviewed and presented under the categories of the relationships of research to practice, and the nature of knowledge production and utilization (KP&U). Each of the three topics deal with KP&U in general, related work within education, and work specifically related to the curriculum. (Author/SM)

It is argued that with New Zealand's new form of block grant funding, greater emphasis is placed on scientific publications than on disseminating research results in a more useful way to clients. It is recommended that successful communication of information be identified and rewarded. (MSE)

It is argued that, with New Zealand's new form of block grant funding, greater emphasis is placed on scientific publications than on disseminating research results in a more useful way to clients. It is recommmended that successful communication of information be identified and rewarded. (MSE)

Explores concerns about the functions of research and uses of research findings, examines the institutional context of research and some of the problems faced by social sciences, and identifies some possible approaches and changes in institutional structure which would strengthen the role and effectiveness of social scientists and rural…

The skilled school communication specialist, when describing research-related information to the community, can build trust in the schools and bridge the research/power structure/community gap. (Author)

A survey of graduates of the University of South Carolina's College of Social Work master's program is reported. Data on the extent of dissemination and utilization of their theses revealed that over half of the student research was used in a practitioner-beneficial manner. Variables relating to research utilization are identified. (Author/MLW)

Comparison of two studies in the United Kingdom and Switzerland regarding the efficacy of vocational education research and development highlights the importance of more rigorously establishing what happens to research results. Steps must be taken to ensure that such projects have a positive impact on practice and justify their costs. (SK)

Describes the National Network of Partnership Schools, initiated in 1996, and shows how research can be used to inform and improve educational practice by highlighting the research that resulted in the creation of the National Network. The Network presently works with over 1,100 schools, 130 districts, and 12 states. (SLD)

A study explored the perceptions of 12 administrators and policy makers, 13 family members, 12 friends, and 9 adults with challenging behavior and mental retardation and/or autism, 7 researchers, and 13 teachers regarding current behavioral information and dissemination. Results indicate a continued gap between research and practice. (Contains…

Three papers and two responses comprise this section comparing the degree to which research is utilized among various professions. Christine H. McGuire, in "Diffusion and Application of New Knowledge in Medicine," states that, because the medical profession must serve people with clearly perceived problems, these practitioners are under…

This case study, one in a series of research efforts designed to examine the utilization of the Administration on Aging's research, describes the different types of uses of findings of the Home Equity Conversion Project (HECP), which developed ways of converting home equity into usable income. The first chapter describes the project and overviews…

Although scholars and policy analysts both value quality-controlled collections of research results, they evaluate research according to different criteria. Nevertheless, an examination of a pessimistic fictional research experience and a more productive actual experience indicate that, although differences in focus between scholars and policy…

This document addresses the first objective of a study to develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of vocational education demonstration projects. An introduction provides background to the project and the issue addressed here, namely the issue of interim and final acceptable evidence of project impact, including the criteria, documentation,…

This document addresses the second objective of a study to develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of vocational education programs. An introduction provides background to the project and the objective addressed here, namely the recommendation of proposal review criteria. Section II discusses development of the recommended criteria, which…