Considers characteristics of open and distance learning for higher education that pose new challenges and that require research and investigation. Topics include flexible learning; teaching on the Internet; the increasing use of information technology; and external quality assurance. (LRW)

Discusses changes in the location and provision of information services that have resulted from online technologies, particularly the World Wide Web. Highlights include knowledge management in digital libraries; the importance of research on information technology and digital libraries; semantic indexes; concept switching; information analysis;…

Article attempts to narrow the gap between studies of workaholism and human relations/organizational development, and workaholism and cross-cultural research and family counseling. Counselors are encouraged to be aware of implications of workaholism for clients, including burnout and family disintegration, and screen for it just as they would for…

Describes a course that empowers older persons to become active researchers by teaching them to conduct social gerontological research. Discusses an Israeli innovation, research studies, and the graying of social gerontology. Argues that there is a need for developing educational training programs for seniors as gerontological researchers. (RJM)

This paper reviews current knowledge of the genetic epidemiology of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). It notes widespread agreement that the PDDs are caused, at least in part, by genetic factors and some agreement on the phenotypic boundaries associated with these same genetic factors. Remaining research issues are…

Presents the final report of The President of the Research Council for Diagnostic and Prescriptive Mathematics which examines research issues in diagnosis and prescription. Identifies major issues related to diagnosis and prescription which could serve as a research agenda for the next two or three decades. (ASK)

Examines research issues in adult, community, and further education: the role of government in the research agenda; the questions of what is researched, which truths, and whose knowledge; ethics and values; the politics of research and research management; and research methods. Evaluates the state of Victoria's research strategy in terms of these…

Offers four criteria for the kind of research expected at small state universities: research that keeps faith with professional training; research that makes a contribution to the field; research that serves as a model for students; and research that is personally and professionally renewing. Discusses finding the time to conduct such research.…

Presents a brief discussion of the use and misuse of psychometric tests as well as discriminatory practices. Presents a case of freedom of choice. Discusses the need for further research with particular emphasis on program evaluation. (RS)

Case studies of seven Australian manufacturers found the following: (1) relationship between training and deliberate business strategy; (2) more training in more-automated firms; (3) relationship between work form (autonomy/control) and training type (behavioral/technical); (4) more training associated with less-formal labor relations; and (5)…

Discusses performance improvement interventions, including training, and the need for evaluation to measure training effectiveness. Reviews six evaluation perspectives of corporate training programs and recommends four areas for further study, including overall evaluation models and appropriate uses of the results of evaluations. (Contains 63…

Hamilton's critique of the National Federation for Educational Research (NFER) study, Progress in Adult Literacy, addresses the conceptualization of literacy, flaws in the research design, school-oriented focus, and validity and reliability of tests used; she suggests a research strategy. Brooks summarizes NFER's response. (SK)

Discusses how in this issue's special section, three leading scholars in the comparative study of education explore research questions and methods from three social science frameworks: postmodernism, feminism, and political economy/political sociology. Describes the articles and asserts that these analyses address significant gaps in the existing…

Explores why underrepresented minorities test relatively low on college admission tests and how the tests can be improved to predict student success. Argues that the system must address differences in backgrounds, learning styles, and study habits. Outlines a research agenda to arrive at a solution. (EV)

Suggests that one of the major reasons that art therapists are not as highly regarded as other mental health professionals is a paucity of quantitative research data, a result of both a lack of orientation and professional training. Includes responses by Harriet Wadeson and Robert Wolf. (JPS)