When yes/no or multiple-choice answers do not suffice--when a qualitative understanding of a topic rather than a quantitative head count is needed--it is time to consider focus groups. They work well when learning why, how, and what for is more important than measuring how many. Focus groups are primarily an open-ended form of inquiry, enabling…

This AACRAO "60 Second Survey" asked respondents to identify the size, composition, name and level of decentralization for the Office of the Registrar. There were 1,389 unique institutional responses that represented 21 countries, commonwealths or territories, all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and 9 Canadian…

Outlines the context of the issues currently facing a complex university and some of the tools and techniques for manpower planning available at the institutional level. (Author)

An overview is given of a study that examined the place of linguistics in undergraduate curricula in the United States and Canada, the nature and structure of the curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in linguistics, and the population served by the curriculum. The overview describes the project and its major activities (data collection and…

Assumptions about academic staffing in Canadian universities are examined in light of the combined effects of the expansionist 1960s and the depressed 1970s. Six critical issues that require attention in the higher education community are presented for examination, including mid-career alternatives and the need for objective data. (JMF)

A study in the Queen's University (Canada) medical school's family residency program found that in 70,805 patient encounters with residents, 65.1% were with women patients. While mean number of patients seen by male and female residents did not differ, proportions of women patients seen (58.6% for male residents, 68.4% for females) did vary. Male…