The role of the researcher is reviewed, along with definitions of the higher education research constituency, the structure of higher education research, and the emphasis on research strategy. Researchers are encouraged to develop concept and theory first, and to deal with real issues involving practitioners and constituents. (Author/LB)

This article offers support for McCurdy's and Cleary's findings about the nature and quality of dissertation research and points out that dissertation research has little influence on the dissemination of knowledge through publishing. Several possible actions are suggested to improve dissertations and their contribution to publications in public…

Implementing survey recommendations is a perennial administrative problem. This article suggests that giving more attention to the methods of conceiving, commissioning, and conducting surveys and communicating survey results could produce more effective implementation of the findings at the decisionmaking level. (Author)

The article discusses the relationship between research and educational practice, and suggests that the lag between research and implementation be remedied by making the progress of the individual handicapped child the target of research. (GW)

In Holland little interest is shown in the sociology of law, and the extent of socio-legal research that can be done is quite limited. (IR)

The contribution of facet theory to applied psychological research is shown to be its ability to define problems and the solutions to them in terms relevant to those wishing to make practical use of research findings. Three examples illustrate the use of facet theory in applied research. (Author/CM)

Explores the roles that interpretation plays in qualitative research and theory building and considers three types of interpretation: patterning, social meanings, and external considerations. Also explores criteria for judging interpretations, and the issues of objectivity/subjectivity and universality/generalizability of interpretive science.…

Defines naturalistic research as research that occurs in a field setting and that emphasizes hypothesis generation rather than hypothesis testing. Discusses essential characteristics and requirements of such research, the utilization of quantitative and qualitative data, establishment of validity of research procedures and data generated, and the…

A critique of an article series in "Public Administration Review" challenges assumptions about the nature of social science research and scientific writing style, criteria by which article authors judged public administration research. The critique concludes that public administration research does address core issues in the field. (SK)

As the knowledge base of adult and continuing education continues to grow, research holds increasing potential for informing practice. Being an effective consumer of research involves developing a working understanding of basic methods and procedures. (Author)

Discusses the characteristics of educational research in Poland and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe under communism and the implications of the postcommunist changes for the future of educational research. Educational researchers could play an important role in developing more informed educational policies. (SLD)

A research course introduced nursing students to reading and critiquing research, learning by doing research, research utilization, and qualitative and quantitative methods. A six-month evaluation showed lasting effects on practice. (SK)

The improvement of instructional methods or the solutions of problems of an instructional nature requires information that is not usually part of the Canadian common experience and must be discovered by means of research. Types of fundamental and applied research are discussed, including action, developmental, evaluation, and diagnostic research.…

The Project on Research Utilization in Social Work Education established in 1976 is described. There are eight chapters to the report. Chapter 1 describes the project. The broad goals of the project were to: (1) analyze the dynamics of research utilization in social work; (2) identify the obstacles to research utilization, especially those that…

This brief paper presents a sequential walk through a simple research setting--a two group experiment--to indicate common but avoidable design difficulties that may jeopardize the usefulness of the data obtained. The six flaws examined are the failure to select subjects from the population to which generalizations are to be made; failure to use…