The sympoisum was held to describe the roots and future plans of the Engineering Research Center's (ERC's) concept and program. The first section of this symposium compilation describes the national goals that the ERCs represent. The second section presents the point of view of the National Science Foundation on the ERCs--the concept behind them,…

This report presents the results of a survey conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in late 1986 of more than 14,000 applicants whose proposals for research support had been awarded or declined during fiscal year 1985. The principal purpose was to seek the views of individual investigators at academic institutions about NSF's…

The nature and purpose of institutional research (IR), forms of research, and the function of IR in the organizational structures of colleges and universities are examined. Institutional research is defined as research conducted within a higher education institution to provide information that supports institutional planning, policy formulation,…

Like all good social research methods, the interview demands careful planning and intelligent administration. The study director formulates the goals of the study, which serve as the basis for the interview schedule or instrument. The interview schedule decided upon may be standardized or unstandardized. Questions may be closed-ended or…

The role proposed for the consultant is one of creating need and demonstrating that educational progress can be made by systematic and well managed approaches. The extent to which the project consultant is able to establish the same basic helping relationship with project staff members as he desires the staff to have with the clientele, will…

The functions and career paths of evaluation research managers, their duties and generic styles, and some indicators of performance quality are outlined. A better way to assess and select them in the future is proposed. (Author/PN)

The university research administrator, whose position and role cut across all levels of administration, is responsible for the administration of millions of federal/nonfederal dollars. A profile of university research administrators taken from the Society of Research Administrators membership is provided and professionalization is discussed. (MLW)

Examines features of the alternative "new management" and some of the management practices that facilitate a high commitment to basic research in the private sector. Contends that most university research suffers from the use of discredited and inappropriate management practices. Concludes that managed research is essential in the new mode of…

The "Evaluation and School Districts" project is designed to analyze educational evaluation at the local educational agency level to determine the extent to which district evaluation offices contribute to the renewal of public education. Results of a survey indicate that the existence of an evaluation office is partially a function of…

Schools are often reluctant to be watched or studied, especially when their interests do not coincide with those of researchers. The development of good site relations can improve the chances of successful data gathering in such circumstances. In addition to acting with courtesy and respect, research teams can organize their site relations…

This study was undertaken to enlighten both practitioners and the Laboratory about current practices of school research offices in utilizing R & D information. Data for the study came from (1) background readings on organizational theory, (2) recent studies on research offices in local school districts, (3) personal interviews with 15…

The guidelines presented are intended to stimulate institutional self-assessment, evaluation, and possible policy actions by college and university presidents, chief academic officers, and other academic officers not responsible for day-to-day administration of sponsored research programs. Officers of nonprofit research organizations may also find…

This study was initiated in 1964 under the sponsorship of the Cooperative Research Program of the Office of Education to develop and supply data useful to policy makers and planners of training programs for research, development, and diffusion personnel in education. The first task was the construction of a logical structure to account for the…

The controversy surrounding the study by the Committee on the Status of Black Americans requires discussion of: (1) the recent history of race relations research; (2) the role of the study's director; and (3) composition of the controlling committee. Since perspectives of researchers affect study outcomes, diversity in research leadership is a…

The degree of control that project directors exert over the technical direction of evaluations and the selection of evaluation staff is examined, and the way in which control has grown and shrunk over the past decade is considered. (Author)