The problem of declining opportunities for young doctorates primarily due to reductions or leveling of enrollments coupled with low faculty turnover is addressed. Alternatives are discussed for maintaining or improving U.S. research efforts through greater use of young researchers. (Author/MLW)

An information feedback model and an ideology of evaluation are posed and contrasted with experiences in evaluation research. Impact on policy is the criterion for success of an evaluation and political constraints block this impact. Some ways social researchers might conceptualize and construct an appropriate base of power are considered.…

A teacher-researcher model that takes into account the constraints in the teaching environment is described. Four characteristics of teaching/learning are: (1) need for continual examination; (2) learning activities as compromises in face of influences and constraints; (3) learning as interactional activity; and (4) public accountability of…

The Legislative Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) is an experimental program whose purpose is to produce public policy research on environmental issues for Iowa state legislators. LEAG's membership, selection of six manageable research areas, evaluation of projects, scheduling, and dissemination of results are briefly discussed. (MLW)

It is pointed out that researchers must articulate clearly both the implications of their data for policy and the limitations of those data. Both researchers and policy-makers should remember that each student is more than a collection of variables. (Author/AF)

Much institutional research is carried out at great cost but has little continued impact on institutions of higher education. Some of the barriers to the effective use of research and the experience of institutional research at the Open University of Great Britain are discussed. (JMD)

Notes the increasing influence of conservative politics on education at the local school board level. Offers a fairy tale written by a group of educators that raises questions about autonomy, control, and the need for participation in the context of the current conservative climate. (SR)

Investigates the importance of book reviews to science and technology scholars and humanities and social science scholars. Focuses on the sources, importance, and utility of book reviews for information seeking; research by scholars and scholars' criteria for useful book reviews; and whether scholars use electronic book reviews. (Author/AEF)

Identifies several aspects of citing behavior (reasons for citing, criteria used in decision making, and metalevel documentation concerns) by directly questioning researchers about decisions to cite or not to cite specific documents. The results reported are preliminary results related to citing behavior derived from a qualitative, longitudinal…

Presents perspectives and experiences of prospective science teachers who developed science lessons and small educational projects in collaboration with practicing elementary and middle school teachers. Concludes that prospective teachers perceived themselves to be more confident and more competent to teach science after the collaboration. (SOE)

Contains the following two leadership profiles of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of instructional technology: "Francis M. Dwyer: Visual Researcher Extraordinaire" (David M. Moore); and "Tribute to John G. Hedberg: Professor of Education, University of Wollongong" (Thomas Reeves). (MES)

Women's studies faculty often engage in complex information-seeking patterns as they examine social issues from a variety of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. Academic librarians constructing an understanding of those patterns in order to provide effective reference service can incorporate the results of this national, qualitative study…

Reviews variables, measures, and studies associated with the child care quality perspectives of researchers and professionals, parents using care, child care staff, and children in care. Argues that given the preponderance of studies conducted from the professional/researcher perspective, more effort should be directed to studying child care…

Draws on a recent Canadian study of university student services and Aboriginal students to highlight the importance of a culturally sensitive research process when exploring Aboriginal issues. Discusses involvement of participants in the three phases of the study's flexible research process, which incorporated guiding values of respect,…

Analysis of panel data on the education and career paths of Swiss university graduates in all fields of study through the 1990s shows that women and people from less-educated families are less commonly recruited for research careers than are men and people from university-educated backgrounds. However, the degree of inequality of opportunity is…