The structure and process of college institutional research is compared with three different ways in which science is conceptualized. It is concluded that, although institutional research has much in common with science, it is distinct because the dynamic nature of institutional research prevents development of a cohesive body of knowledge.…

The derivation of discipline cost indexes, developed to permit accurate interinstitutional comparisons of relative costs among disciplines, is explained using expenditure data from five peer institutions. How the indexes have been used in one research university's budget allocation process is then described. (Author/MSE)

A study applied a model of organizational effectiveness, as measured by 9 dimensions, to 30 2-year colleges with clearly different mission orientations. Results indicate organizational effectiveness varies significantly according to mission type and number, and support use of the model. Implications for research on college effectiveness and for…

According to a survey of 1,700 administrators and faculty at 346 institutions, professional program administrators perceive influences on the program from within the university as stronger than do faculty. However, the two groups do not perceive the strength of societal influences, professional community influences, or internal levels of…

Methodology and results of a study of administrative costs and structures at Iowa State University are summarized. Indicators of administrative efficiency are examined, including those related to organization, costs, salaries, and intensity of administrative functions. Some comparisons with peer institutions or to other units within the same…

Research on college students' evaluations of their male and female teachers is synthesized and compared with results of research on student evaluation of hypothetical male and female teachers. Results suggest the interaction of gender, teacher characteristics/behaviors, and student perceptions and expectations is complex. (MSE)

A survey of approximately 2,450 non-instructional staff at a research university concerning the work environment found significant differences in perceptions of union-affiliated and non-union staff, with union-affiliated workers seeing the culture, philosophy, climate, and outcomes of their work environment more negatively. Implications for…

A study of 334 colleges and universities found institutions with declining resources are as effective as institutions with abundant resources. However, institutions that develop certain attributes (centralization, crisis mentality, lowered innovation, resistance to change, decreasing morale, politicized interest groups, non-prioritized cutbacks,…

The extent to which a two-year college's effectiveness is linked to dominant organizational culture type (clan, adhocracy, hierarchy, or market) was examined. A survey of faculty and administrators in 30 representative colleges found that perceived effectiveness is strongly related to culture type, with adhocracy (characterized by employment of…

A study in one private university classified four academic disciplines as hard or soft and pure or applied, then compared student evaluations of courses for organization, breadth of coverage, group interaction, enthusiasm, grading, and individual rapport. Results suggest a single evaluation form may not be appropriate for all disciplines.…

Formulates a model partitioning college/university administrative/faculty ratio (administrative intensity) into two components, one using internal factors and one using sources of funding dependence, to explain demand for administrative resources. Results show public institutions use relatively fewer administrative resources in seeking both public…

A study of families' means of paying for college using data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study strongly indicates that part of the process of deciding how students should pay for college is the parents' college financing experience. These effects appear in patterns in parent contribution, amount of financial aid received, and use of…

Analysis of data from a national survey of about 1,000 college faculty found African-American faculty reported higher levels of occupational stress than white counterpart, especially in areas of research and service activities. Possible effects of extra-academic assignments given to African-American faculty are considered. (Author/MSE)

A study used price-response measures from recent national studies to assess college and university pricing (tuition and student aid) alternatives in diverse institutional settings. It is concluded that such analyses are feasible. Analysis indicated limits to "Robin Hood" pricing patterns are predominant in private colleges. Consideration…

When faculty and department heads rated alternative responses to retrenchment pressures in a fictitious but realistic situation, few differences were found among department heads' and tenured and nontenured faculty's preferences. Most preferred protecting instructional programs even at the cost of research and service activities. Implications for…