Describes a comprehensive educational needs assessment conducted by the Gallup Organization for the Los Rios Community College District, and relates its findings to the District master plan. (AYC)

A study investigated the knowledge and skills of college and university institutional researchers (n=601) in relation to their perceptions of the effectiveness of their work. Analysis found that relationships between background characteristics, knowledge and skills in institutional research, and perceptions of effectiveness were minimal.…

Examines the distribution of elapsed time between published research papers and the literature they reference in quantitative business-oriented journals. Discovers that the distribution is better approximated by the generalized gamma, rather than the exponential distribution. Provides a ranking of journals based upon frequency of citations. (MJP)

A study investigated the effects of collaboration between university researchers, researchers and industry, and researchers and other institutions, especially government agencies, local governments, and organized interest groups. Results indicate collaboration of all kinds may increase researchers' productivity, whether or not collaborators have…

Describes a first-grade teacher's research in her own classroom, and shows how an apparently minor decision contributed greatly to inequality, unintentionally giving an already privileged group of students more knowledge and power, and decreasing the opportunities for knowledge and power of an already oppressed group of students. (SR)

Dr. Eber Hampton, president of Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (Canada), briefly discusses his views on the development of a First Nations graduate education program and relates the culture conflict he experienced in furthering his own education and conducting graduate-level research. Suggests that the researcher's personal experiences…

Analyzes the 'publish or perish' enterprise focusing on the origins of editorial power and knowledge. Explores how tenure, promotion, and salary decisions are important elements that accrue power and knowledge for journal editors. (Contains 26 references.) (DDR)

Provides theoretical background to Exploratory Practice (EP) and illustrates how the framework of EP can be invoked in the context of doctoral research. Reports on a doctoral study that focuses on one the researcher's professional development as an EP teacher-consultant. (VWL)

Examines how universities develop multiple Web-based research sites. Topics include the development of Web sites by individuals, research teams, or librarians; influences of the research environment; technical support; collaboration; standards and continuity; educational mission; public service mission; and peer review and reward structures. (LRW)

This article proposes that research into special educational needs has to explore the meaning of the phrase "special needs" and the values that underpin this phrase. It concludes this process will entail the development of new forms of inquiry, new ways of working, and new ways of thinking about research. (Contains 2 references.) (Author/CR)

Institutional researchers and student financial aid officers can collaborate to construct the longitudinal data files needed to study students persistence and recommend persistence policy. (Author/MSE)

The organization and role of higher education research and development units (HERDUs) are described, and international perspectives on educational development theory and practices are examined. Factors constraining educational development operations in HERDUs are discussed, and recommendations for addressing current concerns are offered. (MSE)

The Public Health Service has issued regulations giving universities the primary responsibility for preventing financial conflicts of interest by government-supported researchers. The regulations, which require scientists to report to the university any financial interest relating to their research, are much less stringent than those proposed in…

Discusses issues related to music education research. Presents three criteria to guide selection of research topics. Concludes that the challenge for music researchers is to avoid research that merely supports a "favored" methodology. (ACM)

Organizations, foundations, and individuals are concentrating their energies on making teaching a true profession. They are seeking changes in the way teachers are prepared, how they are evaluated and certified, their continuing professional development, and their compensation and working conditions. (Author/IAH)