Acknowledges that assessment is often perceived as a costly ordeal with minimal benefits to the institution beyond meeting external reporting requirements. Presents examples of assessment data already available in existing records, and ways in which colleges can leverage the results of assessment to serve multiple purposes. (MAB)

A discussion of social work research, as distinguished from social research, briefly chronicles the role of research in social work education in the 1900s and examines recent Council on Social Work Education policy supporting teaching of research skills and use. Specific recommendations are made for incorporating research into the curriculum. (MSE)

A careful review of research suggests that the problem of sexual assault has been magnified and the data misinterpreted, in part because the issue of sexual violence against women has become enmeshed in politics. The current trend in sexual-violence research is to redefine it according to the ideological preferences of advocates. (SLD)

Guidelines to help ensure that educational research is meaningful and important include (1) have confidence in your own conviction and methods; (2) remember that the conduct of research is an artistic activity; and (3) try to situate the inquiry in a social and historical context to increase its meaning. (SLD)

Examines the literature on ability grouping and cooperative learning. Solid research evidence supports both. Ability grouping and cooperative learning should be used to address particular student needs. Selecting a variety of educational options to match the needs of each student would be the best way to serve all students. (SLD)

This paper examines the development of service policy for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia, noting the minor role of research and empirical enquiry. Research's significant role in monitoring policy during the implementation phase is, however, acknowledged. A coordinated research program contributing to both policy development and…

Discusses the time, personnel, resources, and aids needed to support six phases of institutional assessment: clarifying the assessment object and context, designing the assessment, collecting and analyzing data, communicating findings, using findings, and evaluating the assessment. (DMM)

As colleges and universities increasingly seek for-profit corporate sponsors for their research programs, collaboration may be complicated by differential missions leading to potential conflicts of interest. Ethical issues include corporate influence on research topics, secrecy and publication restrictions, patent ownership, unfavorable…

These reflections on EC 606 263 (a paper examining the effectiveness of student versus teacher monitoring of behavior of students at risk for referral to special education) examines the development of interest in the topic, acceptability of the interventions to study participants, potential usefulness of the intervention, and evidence of changes…

Examines the importance of improving the student teaching context, describing a research-based supervisory program that addresses preparation of cooperating teachers to function in their role and develop skills for providing effective guidance to student teachers. Cooperating teachers require course readings and activities that enable them to…

Suggests ways music teachers can improve their teaching and solve instructional problems by using existing research and conducting their own. Also offers strategies to help music district supervisors encourage effective use of research. Identifies several useful publications as sources of research reports. Includes a chart listing reasons and…

This commentary on EC 231 901 discusses whether resource allocations and service policies for mentally retarded individuals should be based upon purported findings of scientific theory or the purported needs of service systems. The paper calls for improved research utilization and understanding of what makes a social movement work. (JDD)

Staff development programs should be established by using a set of assumptions grounded in research and best practice. The article examines faulty assumptions that guide too many programs, then presents 14 new assumptions that should guide effective practice and successful staff development. (SM)

Examines implications of IEA international educational research for educational policies in three areas: overall quality of the national educational system, including success in achieving social and economic objectives; structure of the formal system and its influence on student achievement; and influence of school resources and instructional…

Discusses the utility of IEA cross-national studies of achievement and its determinants, why some countries appear uninterested in such information, the comparability of achievement data between nations, how to improve the selection of input and process variables, other international research needs, and the role of national funding agencies. (SV)