There are three reasons to suspect the integrity of research that purports to validate policy decisions in the field of telecommunications: 1) the accuracy of measurement of input and output variables is dubious; 2) the adversary style of decision-making that dominates the field of telecommunications encourages researchers to arrive at only those…

Reasons for underutilization of social research in public policy-making and the complexity of the concept of utilization are discussed. Among the factors affecting underutilization are the limitations of the social sciences and shortcomings of specific policy research. A common explanation of underutilization is the allegedly long-established…

Examines the state of educational policy analysis, discussing the field's history, conceptual approaches to policy, areas of policy that have been studied, and methodological issues. Concludes with speculation on the future of policy research. (MCG)

Finding helpful education research often seems an onerous task. However, the federal government and many research organizations are taking steps to give policymakers and practitioners access to useful, readable research. Sidebars list addresses for the research sources cited. (MLF)

Discusses operational terms used to denote Hispanic American populations; presents a typology for determining the comparability of studies of different Hispanic groups (through comparison of certain group characteristics); and demonstrates the application of the typology in comparing three research studies. (MJL)

Recommendations of committee include greater centralization of research activities; improved communication between social researchers and policy-makers; better coordination in research by the establishment of planning bodies at different levels; and increased funding. (RW)

Research conducted by Patrick Clancy and by Fitzpatrick Associates and Philip O'Connell on the level of representation of socio-economic groups amongst higher education entrants has been a key element in the development of access policy and practice in Ireland. This article reviews the context for the development of access and explores the…

Discusses four issues: the difference between policy research and basic research; the importance of policy research for basic research; the generalizability of field studies; and the relationship of both of the professor in the professional school to the client in the field and of the professional school to the overall society. (JM)

The politics of education is a new field of research specialization both in education and in political science. As with any new field, the politics of education faces a number of problems. On the other hand, it shows promise of being able to make important contributions both in increasing our understanding of educational and political systems and…

Reviews some major characteristics of ethnography as they apply to policy issues and policy formulation, and ethnography's utility from the perspective of how public educational policy is made. Discusses the potential contributions of ethnography and the responsibilities ethnographers must consider if their work is to have an impact on public…

Discusses the character of the field study and its place in the scientific venture, notes the characteristic attitude toward the relationship between data and hypotheses held by the field researcher, addresses the requirements of educational policy research, and explores the fit between these and the field study's character. (Author/JM)

The art of relating educational research to public policy is still primitive. Educational policy is formed mainly by tradition and the political pressure of interest groups, while educational researchers study questions determined by the scientific community. Educational research has not noticeably influenced policy because trained researchers…

The utility of the Wilms study for policy making in vocational education is critically examined. A set of criteria for examining research for policy is presented and then applied to the Wilms study with the conclusion that because of its weaknesses the report cannot be taken seriously for policymaking although it has done a service to the…

It is pointed out that researchers must articulate clearly both the implications of their data for policy and the limitations of those data. Both researchers and policy-makers should remember that each student is more than a collection of variables. (Author/AF)

Educational policy research is discussed as it concerns the utilization and programming of research. Following a brief review of the development of the educational research system, Part 1 discusses the following utilization concerns: the gap between research and policymakers; the relationship of organizational setting to utilization (comparing…