Factors in effective research program administration are discussed, and administrators are urged to focus on understanding and supporting what's important, and subordinating all other organizational functions to that; using good managerial skills (effective planning, organization, staffing, delegation of duties, control, creativity, and positive…

Trends in research funding at Belgium's Free University of Brussels in the last five years are analyzed, focusing on three aspects: the roles of the government grant, contract funding, and the university's own initiatives. (MSE)

Canada's policy of increasing support for university research on the condition that the private sector also contribute, and the policy's results, are discussed. Trends in the awarding of federal grants and the national priorities in research directions are outlined. (MSE)

Issues in sponsored research are addressed: institutional commitment and targeted budget allocations, administrative and faculty commitment--structure and support services; sponsored research and institutional characteristics; and faculty development programs--research-oriented. (MLW)

Saint Louis University has achieved a no-cost expansion of its staff and services by implementing a graduate-level Research Administration Practicum. The practicum has a dual focus: to enhance the graduate experience by integrating research skills and theory with practice; and to provide more staff at minimal expense. (MLW)

Implications of public disclosure laws, both state and federal, for university research culture and practices are examined. Issues discussed include research documentation, funding, scientific norms, patent rights for federally funded inventions, the university-industry research relationship, academic freedom, and the Freedom of Information Act.…

Organizational aspects of the Shock Trauma Institute at Loyola University Medical Center (Illinois) are described. The philosophies and conditions that helped determine the institute's organizational structure and success are analyzed, and the institute's role as a multidisciplinary research program is discussed. Structures of the clinical,…

This article examines strategies to foster and evaluate research and scholarship in Hong Kong's higher education sector. It addresses the definition of performance indicators, the role of governmental policy initiatives, performance indicators in the academic research context, possible research indicators, application of indicators, and other…

The Cost Proposal System, a menu-driven computer program designed to help Pennsylvania State University faculty and staff prepare proposal budgets, accommodates novice and experienced computer users and requires users to provide only basic information. It calculates personnel costs, tuition, indirect costs, and cost sharing automatically and…

One educator criticizes another's characterization (HE 530 510) of national research councils as part of a linear multitiered structure, interpretation of the roles of two British councils, and assumptions about decision-making and policy-setting processes. (MSE)

Application of a multidimensional measure of university research activity, the Research Activity Index (RAI), is described and compared to the more common use of research and development expenditures as a criterion of activity. The RAI incorporates seven expenditure variables, three graduate-student-related variables, and a research library…

Existing federal government policies and systems to protect against scientific misconduct in government-supported research projects are described, and additional considerations not covered in federal policy are enumerated. Misconduct inquiries and review procedures are outlined. Applicant and institutional responsibility and the role of prevention…

Because of the schedules, preferences, and varied information needs of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (Texas), a system of computer and telecommunications technologies was developed to facilitate research and project planning. The system integrates cellular phones, voice mail, facsimile publishing, distributed document delivery, and…

New Jersey is strengthening its high-technology economy by encouraging technology transfer through supporting advanced technology centers, funding academic researchers for technical problems of immediate industry interest and application, and forming other, less-structured alliances. Better interaction between the state's research community and…

Describes the centralized research model used by Miami-Dade Community College. Explains that the district's central office assumes responsibility for conducting all phases of the institutional research program (e.g., determining the research agenda, carrying out projects, monitoring projects, and disseminating results). Highlights strengths and…