Analyzes the five factors in combination that appear to account for the mind-set in which the decision to launch the Challenger was made: (1) perceived pressure, (2) rigid conformity to perceived role requirements, (3) questionable reasoning, (4) ambiguous use of language, and (5) failure to ask important relevant questions. (NKA)

Describes the methodology and results of a study that examined information flow at the technological research front by analyzing a Japanese national project in computer technology. Various formats of information dissemination are identified, and a classification of researchers and engineers by information transfer activities is presented. (4…

A study of Israeli university students' attitudes about the value and use of findings from student evaluations of instruction is reported. It examined student opinions of the relevance of certain evaluation criteria and their relationship to student characteristics and expectations. (MSE)

Presents a framework for measuring the value of information from three perspectives--the reader of information, the organization or funder, and society--which is based on use studies of the Energy Data Base by Department of Energy researchers. (CLB)

Self-assessment leads to stronger performance in the nation's colleges and universities. That's the premise of "Excellence in Higher Education," a model self-assessment program that has earned accolades from the higher education community. Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award framework, the third edition of this bestseller is the…

Targeted to mental retardation/developmental disability (MR/DD) and vocational rehabilitation agencies, developmental disabilities councils, consumer and advocate groups, and protection and advocacy programs, this manual is designed to assist in the development of state-level data systems responsive to current accountability requirements. It also…

This paper presents the results of an empirical survey conducted in the winter of 1995-96 among 413 Danish Internet users (business people, higher education/research and students). Data from a recent Danish Mediacenter Internet survey (n=2981) are also included. Findings indicate that women tend to use the Internet to solve well-defined problems,…

This Digest discusses computer assisted advisory practices currently in use in community colleges, outlining the types of data collected and how they are used, including the use of tracking to plan interventions for at-risk students. Enhanced computer technology has improved the effectiveness of academic advising by enabling more thorough and…

The approaches to costing, budgeting, and financial reporting being used in further education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom as of autumn 2000 were examined through a questionnaire that was circulated to all finance directors in the FE college sector. Approximately one-third of the sector (144 FE colleges) responded. The responding FE…

Canada's National Core Library Statistics Program is designed to capture several key indicators of the broad impact on Canadian society of library services provided by the public, academic, and special library sectors. These impacts can be broadly organized into cultural and economic. Current indicators of cultural impact are question answering…

This study explored the perspectives and information behaviors of scholars in the humanities. The following general questions were examined: How do humanities scholars think about, organize, and perform their research? How are information sources used throughout the research process? And, how do electronic information sources affect work…

Home economics teachers need to know how to obtain occupational information to help students prepare for jobs and to substantiate validity of existing or new programs. Describes and discusses federal occupational information sources and grants, use of advisory committees, private industry information, and state committees. (MF)

In order to help students make the transition from education to work, it is suggested that college counselors and administrators need an operating theory about student development and an information system that provides regular feedback on student outcomes. Student involvement is discussed as one operating theory. (Author/MLW)

The relationship between data and their use in a planning, management and evaluation system in a higher education institution is discussed. Elements of the institutional planning process are detailed as well as the budgeting process and a method for relating fiscal resources to institutional goals and objectives. (Author/SF)

Argues that college faculty evaluation policies, procedures, and criteria emphasize technical rather than substantive aspects of teaching, focus on process over outcomes, lack strategic concern for institutional use of evaluation data, and deemphasize discipline. Recommends evaluating three aspects of teaching (planning, implementation, results),…