The author asserts that educational research in Britain has historically acted largely to ease implementation of policies already determined on political grounds and that this concern for "obvious relevance" resulted in a severe narrowing of research initiatives. He suggests that educational researchers take a more formative role in…

The author contends that within executive government, which already has all the information it needs to make decisions, program evaluation is seen as a symbolic rather than a substantive enterprise. If it is assumed that program evaluation is an end of policy, not a means, the reasons for government investment in evaluation include: (1) no choice;…

Implications of the trend toward funding only graduate research projects that have a high likelihood of completion are discussed, including allocation of funds according to institutions' completion rates, deemphasis on research quality and students' personal development, and overemphasis on producing graduates. A more balanced approach to research…

As demand for new knowledge grows, universities are under increasing stress with increasing research limitations; unstable financial support, contracting for specific research rather than open-ended funding, and problems of staffing projects. Problems in developing and implementing research policy under these circumstances are discussed. (MSE)

The author reviews the long-standing debate between pure and applied psychological research in British higher education, especially the contributions of Myers and Bartlett, and suggests several pressing national problems that should challenge British psychologists today. (SJL)

Traces historical developments and recent trends in library and information science research in United States, Great Britain, and India; discusses factors contributing to developments in United States and United Kingdom; and reviews Ranganathan's contributions in detail. Some factors hindering research in India and areas which require research are…

The time available to teachers for research is examined in several countries by comparing the availability and conditions of study leave, lengths of vacation, and the number of teaching "contract" hours required of teachers. Some differences exist in actual term time and study leave for research. (SW)

Explores ways that the study of special educational needs have changed in the last decade and a half of educational policy-making. Focuses on key theoretical changes and shifts of emphasis in substantive concerns. Notes tendencies to allow social and political values to guide educational provision instead of psychological or sociological…

The recent creation of new "information technology" and "new blood" positions, a controversial attempt to bring young faculty and researchers into the universities and alleviate some of the recent severe cutbacks, and the effects of their distribution among institutions are analyzed in terms of funding and student-teacher…

These 15 papers originate from a conference that brought together researchers and trade unionists from a number of countries to examine the potential for a more democratic, active, and participative form of collaboration or "research as engagement." The first half contains chapters that explore, theoretically, the nature of research…

The objectives of physical science teaching and research projects in higher education in Britain are reviewed as a means of stimulating debate. It is noted that in recent years, concern has been expressed over the quality of these efforts, and as resources stabilize or decline allocations must be made more carefully. A statistical profile is given…