The factors that might be associated with success in interdisciplinary research are discussed with a focus on underlying psychological and other personal characteristics. Studies carried out during 1979-81 of over 150 interdisciplinary research projects are described. (MLW)

A survey of 99 pharmaceutical companies concerning their organization and use of project management techniques for research and development found that the industry is using project management increasingly in a variety of ways for better business planning and operations. (MSE)

The procedural changes identified in analyzing the 1979 Marquette University internal grants competition had the positive effect of improving the reliability of the peer review ratings. Improved reliability results in greater confidence in the peer review process on the part of the applicants and the reviewers. (MLW)

A detailed analysis of the research administrator's profile compares seven categories of Society of Research Administrators membership (Academic Medical, Academic Non-Medical, Hospital Medical, Foundations and Non-profits, Industry, Government, and Other) with educational attainment and the 21 Priority Interest codes of the membership. (MLW)

Results of a survey of 447 universities concerning the use of fixed-price contracts for research are presented, and guidelines for the use of such contracts are suggested. (MSE)

A survey of research administrators reports perceived factors enabling interdisciplinary research in agricultural experiment stations. Among the issues discussed are the need for such research and incentives to individual scientists, departments, and institutions to undertake research projects. (MSE)

A survey of rejected applicants for federal grants revealed that while most of them secured feedback from agencies regarding the disapproval, many were concerned about the value of such information. Follow-up and program modifications can result only when effective interaction is achieved. (MLW)

The reasons for variation in interdisciplinary research team performance at U.S. and Canadian research universities are investigated. Interdisciplinary research is defined. The appropriate use of interdisciplinary research, the participants, the leaders of research groups, and the effective management of the groups are identified. (Author/MLW)

A survey of South Carolina participants in Small Business Innovative Research programs, conducted to evaluate previous assumptions about research success factors, found that success hinged on the principal investigator's background, the presence of university connections for the project, and the project's ability to respond to the agency's stated…

A pilot study is described showing that when the costs associated with a centralized research administration library are analyzed, all functions do not have equal expenses, and unit costs for information dissemination are relatively inexpensive. (MLW)

A study of the income distribution permitted from patent and copyright policies of major U.S. research institutions revealed wide variation in distribution patterns and policies, within and between patent and copyright incomes, but little information about the impact of recent federal patent legislation. (MSE)

Analysis of journal article titles indicates research administrators' interests and concerns have turned from research administration as an occupation to the nature and sociolegal aspects of research, reflecting the changing environment of research. (MSE)

A survey of internal research programs shows most are centrally administered with most growth in the private sector. Half spent under $75,000 per year on these programs. Stated program purposes were generally supportive of young researchers and of preliminary research. Administration is most often under academic vice-presidents and graduate…