A library instruction program has been instituted in civil engineering at the Queensland University of Technology (Australia) in an effort to improve the research skills of fourth year students working on research projects. Students with extended library instruction were found to have better information-seeking behavior than others. (Author/MSE)

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)

A discussion of European cooperation on research looks at the role of university research in Europe, European Community (EC) research and technological development projects, indirect effects on research of other EC efforts, and the prospects for university research after the EC becomes established, including new industrial and political…

Reviews noteworthy preliminary results from four current IEA research projects on science and mathematics education and achievement, classroom environment, and written composition. Summarizes the achievements of the IEA with regard to research instruments, research findings, policy impact, and the infrastructure of educational research. (SV)

The University of Minnesota trapped and killed birds to reduce bird damage to research grain plots. When the Animal Rights Coalition demanded the practice be stopped, the situation became a public controversy. Presents an abridged form of this case as a focus for consideration of research methods, interest group agenda, and the universities' role…

This article introduces two conference papers (EC 607 450 and 451) which discuss the link between basic research into brain structure and function and the applied issues of instructional intervention in dyslexia. The papers, based on longitudinal studies at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (North Carolina), were presented at a Middle Tennessee…

Reports on a Delphi survey of 23 experts on what constitutes office information systems as a collegiate field of study within the domain of information systems. Appendices include a summary of issues and concerns, a list of reviewers and pilot participants, the Delphi panel, and the Delphi round responses. (JOW)

Community-based research projects, a minute portion of the total amount government, industry, and foundations spend money on, are beginning to generate attention among policymakers because of their power to meet the needs of ordinary citizens, especially the disadvantaged. Currently, the incentives for researchers and institutions to pursue such…

Participatory action research focuses on information and analyzes needs of society's most economically, politically, socially marginalized groups/communities, and pursues research on issues determined by their leaders. It provides faculty with opportunities to conduct research relevant to community needs while providing service learning…

Examines three international comparative research projects in higher education, commissioned by the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (Netherlands). Develops a model of the influence of research on various stages of the educational policy process, focusing on three uses of research: enlightenment, political decision making, and problem…

A discussion of the drafting of contracts for international sponsored research projects focuses on the terms of award that relate either to sensitive topics for international sponsors or to significant legal or financial risk to an institution. Issues specific to newly industrializing and developing countries are highlighted. (MSE)

The problem of inadequate supervision of graduate-level academic work and research projects is examined, focusing on the lack of understanding of the supervisory role and disciplinary differences in research degree expectations. The concept of research supervisor as mentor is discussed, drawing on recent literature. Some efforts to train…

Evolution of an Australian program to provide professional development for university faculty involved in graduate student supervision is described. The externally-funded program began with an action research project to study the collaborative relationship between supervisors and students. When a group process was found impractical, individual…

Describes how secondary teachers can design oral history research projects: (1) assess availability of materials; (2) select a project theme; (3) establish a project outcome/skills checklist; (4) preliminary research; (5) mock interviews; (6) pre-interview proposal and scheduling an interview; (7) developing interview schedule; (8) the interview;…

Reviews investigation of therapist recommendations, an aspect of counseling that previously was vaguely understood. Results indicate a high frequency of recommendations, with most sessions containing multiple recommendations. Therapists provided eight types of recommendations; validation of internal experiences, reframing meaning, decision-making,…