Statewide assessment data available from two school years, two grade levels, and five sources (achievement tests; student, principal, and teacher questionnaires; and principal interviews), were aggregated to more closely investigate the relationship between student/school characteristics and student achievement. To organize this large number of…

The recent conceptualization of organizations as "open" adaptive systems rather than "closed" systems has lead to increased interest in the relationship between the organization and its significant environmental influences. In order to study the perceived sources of internal (organizational) and external (environmental)…

Dealing specifically with the social science research role in rehabilitation facilities, this monograph addresses the development of research as it occurs within service organizations. It examines the research role from the perspective of both the person in the role and the host organization. The second chapter describes the development and…

There are three ways by which the social science research community can influence government decision makers. First, researchers need to understand the scope and limitations of governmental agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission. Second, objective research rather than biased "advocacy research" should be conducted.…

Reviews sociologists' dilemma of seeking to reconcile knowledge requirements of specific social problems and those of scientific theory building and testing. Indicates that rural sociological research has become more sophisticated in method but less concerned with social utility. (LFL)

These three newsletters focus on advances and challenges in disability research. The first issue focuses on the results of a survey that investigated how many consumers with disabilities had a computer available in their home and their Internet use. The study involved administrators of Independent Living Centers (ILC) and ILC consumers. Findings…

Provides an overview of the current practices and controversies concerning educational research in the United Kingdom. Addresses issues including lack of adequate evidence and the hindering effects of fragmentation and isolation. Offers suggestions for improving professionalism and discusses the efforts of the British Educational Research…

This paper examines ongoing changes related to appropriate methods and practices in Aboriginal educational research, including community control of research based on the principle of self-determination. This assertion of control includes the redefinition of relationships in the research process; appropriate initiation of research projects;…

The implementation of research design in studies on substance abuse education is discussed in this meta-analysis. Findings indicate that the quality of research design is constrained by negative feedback from evaluation stakeholders. This finding is applied to an evaluation of the Here's Looking at You, 2000 drug education program currently…

This presentation uses the premise that educational practice currently derives little benefit from the mass of ongoing research as a starting point for a reassessment of the values and goals of research. Particular emphasis is placed on the relation between research and educational practices involving 4-year-olds. The first part of the discussion…

A group of 11 experienced junior high school teachers, identified as having problems with classroom management, received materials and workshops based on findings from a large-scale descriptive study of classroom management. Observation data from two classes per teacher were used to assess the level of implementation by treatment group teachers.…

These proceedings contain 58 papers. Selected brief titles are: "Teaching Reading in Advanced English to Adult Chinese Students" (Bao); "Analyzing the Training of Trainers and Adult Educators" (Boshier); "Knowledge Utilization in Social Work Practice" (Baskett); "Adult Education in the U.K." (Bright); "Developing Media Literacy in Adults"…

This report critically reviews major empirical studies of student demand for higher education in the United States. It focuses on one policy issue, that of equalizing the access of students of different economic means and using tuition and student aid to achieve the desired distribution of those students in colleges. The studies reviewed are…

In this paper a broad perspective on the phenomenon of teaching and learning is presented. The complex dynamics of interaction between teacher, student, and educational researcher are explored. Conventional research in education is characterized as relying heavily on methods adopted from other types of research in such fields as agriculture and…

In February 1980, a survey was conducted of 135 rural community/junior colleges in the Southeast to determine the college president's perception of the role and activities of the office of institutional research (OIR). Specifically, the survey instrument solicited information concerning: (1) the OIR's areas of inquiry with regard to…