As transformative reforms like the Common Core State Standards and educator evaluation roll out amidst a rapidly changing demographic landscape, the need for getting high-quality research on timely topics into the hands of practitioners grows all the more urgent. While rigor and relevance need not be a question of "either/or", but rather…

Research's lack of influence in education may have the following causes: (1) education may be considered an art that is not analyzable; (2) funding is very limited; (3) adequate, qualified researchers are not available; (4) limited capital investment restricts the impact of technology; and (5) classroom teachers do not share ownership of research…

Comparison of two studies in the United Kingdom and Switzerland regarding the efficacy of vocational education research and development highlights the importance of more rigorously establishing what happens to research results. Steps must be taken to ensure that such projects have a positive impact on practice and justify their costs. (SK)

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 document addresses the first objective of a study to develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of vocational education demonstration projects. An introduction provides background to the project and the issue addressed here, namely the issue of interim and final acceptable evidence of project impact, including the criteria, documentation,…

This document addresses the second objective of a study to develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of vocational education programs. An introduction provides background to the project and the objective addressed here, namely the recommendation of proposal review criteria. Section II discusses development of the recommended criteria, which…

Chapter 5 of DETYA's volume "The Impact of Educational Research" (Selby-Smith 2000) begins with an examination of the peculiarity of decision making in the VET sector, followed by an examination of the idiosyncratic consequences for the function of research in the sector. Having established the distinctiveness of VET in relation to these two key…

This document presents case studies of eight demonstration projects selected to assess the practicality and feasibility of a monograph for improving and measuring the impact of vocational education demonstration projects. An introduction provides background of the project that developed that monograph and information on the case studies, including…

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…

This report documents the objectives, methodology, and products of a study to develop criteria and standards for measuring the impact of vocational education demonstration projects. Section I provides background and describes the study's purpose and products. Section II summarizes the methodology used to conduct activities. Details of the…

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…

To talk about the dissemination of research is to talk about the relationship between theory and practice. A body of empirical and conceptual knowledge has accumulated in an area known as the dissemination and utilization of scientific knowledge. Researchers and practitioners will interact at two points: as the knowledge base is transferred, and…

A study examined the distribution, use, and impact of vocational education research and development (R&D) products developed with Federal monies during fiscal years 1981 and 1982. Distribution data for the study were obtained from responses to questionnaires from 22 of the 32 states with products accepted by the Educational Resources…

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…

How can research and practice can be linked together to improve vocational education? Vocational education researchers should conduct research that can directly benefit policy makers and practitioners and present their findings in ways that influence the improvement of policy and practice. Three basic assumptions need to be recognized: (1) the…