This review notes two major trends characterizing institutional research in community colleges today: (1) the communication of research results, and (2) the shift toward applied rather than theoretical research. A third trend noted is the desire by certain persons to create an institutional position of "Information Dean," who would provide needed…

This paper presents the results of a study that investigated challenges institutional researchers encounter in their careers, resources for coping with these challenges, and the impact of the challenges on engagement in policy. Data were from a mailed survey sent to 304 institutional researchers in the northeastern United States to which 221…

Assessment and accountability are embedded in the context in which most colleges and universities operate. In the current climate, one is deeply entwined with the other. Originally, assessment in higher education meant assessing students. The broader appeal of the concept quickly claimed the attention of a multitude of constituents within the…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is going to announce a major change in its patent policies that will allow qualifying institutions to be guaranteed in advance the royalties from faculty inventions that result from NSF projects. (Author)

Describes the Centro Intercultural de Documentacion (CIDOC) in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The center is dedicated to the search for new alternatives for positive social change, and was started by Ivan D. Illich. (GB)

The main purpose of this paper is to identify some of the questions which could usefully be considered by academic, administrative and allied staff and students'' about the management functions of teachers. (Author/AK)

Reports on a poll of education students regarding their job plans and their attitudes toward extending the teacher preparation period. (MB)

Reports on a study to investigate use of and trends in systems analysis in a selected list of educational institutions. (JF)

Offers topics for research as a basis for improving the community college. Suggests attention to the following areas: mission, philosophical commitments, institutional management and operations, faculty role, student needs, academic planning, and community services/lifelong education. (DMM)

The growing literature on academic departments and their chairmen is evaluated from both a theoretical and a research perspective. Issues deserving greater attention are identified, and specific research is proposed to assess the viability of the departmental structure. (LBH)

Reviews nursing research focusing on long-term care facilities from 1984 to 1988. Discusses (1) past reviews of gerontological nursing research, (2) a current search of long-term care nursing research, (3) current trends, and (4) suggestions for research on such topics as research utilization, Alzheimer's disease, and the nursing home environment.…

Two case studies illustrate how institutional researchers have harnessed new information technologies to streamline office functions. At Illinois Institute of Technology, the World Wide Web supports an institutional information clearinghouse and database. At Willamette University (Oregon), an analytical database is coupled with Web technology,…

Defines knowledge management, its components, processes, and outcomes. Addresses the importance of knowledge management for higher education in general and for institutional research in particular. (EV)

This chapter describes techniques and projects that most institutions need if they are to be viable in an increasingly competitive labor market. The authors assert that institutional researchers who increase their involvement in workforce development initiatives can become more valuable to their institution.