Researchers using qualitative methodologies appear to be particularly prone to having their study designs called into question by research ethics or funding agency review committees. In this paper, the author considers the issue of communicating qualitative research study designs in the context of institutional research ethics review and offers…

This article seeks to evaluate universities against an ideal and finds the modern university gravely wanting in terms of its governance, staff and student relationships, and in the way it delivers its teaching and research. It is corrupted by power relationships, the lack of real accountability of SMTs, the failure to recognise the disciplines and…

The sectoral divide between vocational education and training (VET) and higher education in Australia is blurring as a consequence of broader social and economic pressures for a more highly skilled population, but also as a consequence of government policies designed to develop tertiary education markets and to diversify institutional types. The…

"Going Further" presents a roadmap to the works of the ACCLAIM (Appalachian Collaborative Center for Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics) Research Initiative, the research effort of one the Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLTs) created with a grant (2001-2005) from the National Science Foundation. The Center began…

The Ethical Analysis Protocol is a set of questions on treatment of participants, research practices, and sociopolitical dimensions of research that can be used to elicit information about ethical assumptions, constraints, and implications of institutional research studies. They provide a framework for ethical analysis of an institutional research…

While department and program quality rankings could be based on such factors as how well the faculty teach, advise students, and perform service roles, in practice most rankings measuring achievement in graduate departments have been based on faculty research performance of various kinds. (Author/MSE)

Transition, an alternative freshman-year program at North Carolina State University, is evaluated. The program centered around an integrated English-history course taught in an informal residence hall setting and involving nontraditional instruction techniques, and a psychology course directed toward personal development and goal-setting. When…

A summary of 21 institutional self-studies concerning government and higher education considers the following areas: equal employment, affirmative action, and nondiscrimination; student affairs (student assistance and the Buckley Amendment); research; and safety and health. Brief excerpts from the institutional reports are presented on these issue…

The transformation of the present manual system of data manipulation at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile into a computer-based information system capable of supporting decision making is proposed. The information system would be used to determine the number of faculty required by each academic department, based on the number of weekly hours…

Results of a self-study conducted by Villanova University, Pennsylvania, on the impact of government legislation and regulations are described. A committee studied the issues and sought the opinions of faculty, administrators, and students. Financial impacts of governmental programs and effects of affirmative action and student rights…

Results of a self-study conducted by Western Michigan University on the effects of government regulations on higher education are presented. The self-study, conducted with the aid of questionnaires, followup visits, or telephone calls, addressed the following main concerns: (1) academic programs; (2) maintenance, buildings, physical plant, and…

Interactions between the government and Oregon State University were assessed with attention to the following areas: employment and personnel administration (regulations regarding equal opportunity, affirmative action, and nondiscrimination); students and student life (regulations regarding admissions, financial aid, records management, special…

A self-study conducted at Williams College to examine the relationship between the college and the federal government, with emphasis on recent years, is described. The following issues are covered: affirmative action and issues of hiring and pay, other new laws and regulations such as the Buckley Amendment and the Occupational Safety and Health…

A report of The Brown Project, which concerns coeducation at colleges in the late 1970s, is presented. Section one contains five working papers on various aspects of the undergraduate experience, based on the work of the research team representing six institutions. Topics concern: academic and intellectual development and sex differences;…

Results of a self-study conducted by Rice University, Texas, on the impact of federal legislation, especially nondiscrimination legislation, and the influence of federally-sponsored research are described. A survey was conducted of department chairmen, administrative staff, and a few selected faculty through interviewing and questionnaire…