This paper outlines the mission and projected projects for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education for 1996. The activities are organized around two functions: research and development and dissemination and training. Research and development is composed of six substantive areas: (1) the economic context of vocational education;…

This paper discusses the higher education sector's role in a knowledge-based economy though research training, that is, doctoral education. It also examines how a Faculty of Education supports its doctoral candidates in their endeavours to become "knowledge producers". Two themes are explored: one is Australia's limited investment in…

The current challenge in distance education is to determine the ways in which research can assist practice in fostering communication. Research in distance education may be broken down into three approaches: (1) practical and descriptive studies that give little attention to conceptual underpinnings; (2) application of conceptual models from…

This paper contains a mission statement and overview of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education's (NCRVE) agenda for 1993. The first part outlines the goals and programs of NCRVE's six research and development areas: the economic context of vocational education; the institutional context of vocational education; curriculum and…

Vocational education research and development (R&D) product evaluations are difficult to conduct for several reasons, such as the many types of R&D products, the multiple users of the products with different goals for evaluation, the limited time available, and the high cost. In order to meet these challenges, an internal evaluation team…

The EERJ roundtable took as its point of departure the experience of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) in carrying out policy research. CERI has conducted four reviews of national educational research and development (in New Zealand, England, Mexico and…

The state of research and development (R&D) in technical and further education (TAFE) in Australia was reviewed. Special attention was paid to the following: current R&D expenditure and output; shortcomings in Australia's current research; organization and funding of research in TAFE; and dissemination of R&D. It was concluded that a…

A study examined state-administered vocational education program improvement projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 1985 under subpart 3, sections 131 (research), 132 (exemplary and innovative), and 133 (curriculum development) of the Education Amendments of 1976 (P.L. 94-482). It was determined that more funds are being obligated for supportive…

The research and development (R&D) projects funded by the Florida Division of Vocational Education are intended to have utility for vocational educators in their efforts to improve vocational education programs and practices. This project was conducted to determine why some R&D products are accepted by potential users while others are not…

Research for Better Schools (RBS) has operated INROADS, a career development program for minority youth, for 13 years and the High School Academies, a work-study program aimed at potential high school dropouts, for 14 years. RBS found that a new approach to educational research and development was needed when working in partnership with the…

Vocational education and training (VET) research in Australia has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. In a 1993 report titled "No Small Change," VET research was characterized as a fragmented activity that was underfunded and had little or no relevance to policy or practice in the VET sector. Since that time, increased funding through the…

These proceedings present 10 presentations and 3 working group reports from a workshop on the challenges of the new learning culture and their consequences for the partner countries of the European Union (EU). "Introduction and Summary of the Workshop" (Bernhard Buck) begins with a brief overview of distinctions between the vocational…

This 11-chapter book is intended to explore the ways in which professional and vocational education and training (VET) can contribute toward building the emerging "knowledge society," particularly the ways in which the research and development community can take proactive steps to shape the emerging knowledge society. Part 1, on…

This document contains 32 papers from a conference on balance and perspectives in comparative vocational education and training (VET) research in Europe. Selected papers are as follows: "On the Path to Vocational Training Research with a European Dimension" (Oliver Lubke, Klaus Schedler, Alphonse de Vadder); "The Val Duchesse Social…

Australian education and training and vocational education and training (VET) research are in a state of crisis. Both the higher education and VET sectors are now squeezed and subject to contradictory objectives, multiple accountabilities, heightened expectations, and diminished resources in an environment of uncertainty and frustration. The…