This research methods case (more accurately, cases) discusses the use of online questionnaires. We focus on two projects that help us showcase the range of considerations and many decision points involved with using online questionnaires to collect data. Our cases--the conduct of course evaluations in a community college and a regional educational…

The Community Design movement advocates that mismanagement of the physical environment is a major factor contributing to social and economic ills of a community. This book provides the proven tools and techniques for bringing community members into the community design process successfully and productively. It offers 15 case studies chronicling…

This report consists of an analysis of what a number of Canadian communities believe to be and ought to be the purposes of education in their elementary and secondary schools. A questionnaire was constructed consisting of 29 basic questions offering several options and coded for computer analysis of replies. Eighty copies of the questionnaire were…

To continue to be an effective local educational leader in curricular change, fiscal policy making, and, above all, in planning for education, the school administrator must have a continuous flow of usable information on public opinion. The purpose of this book is to provide the administrator with practical methods for systematically monitoring…

This monograph describes a practical, low cost needs assessment process used by Broward Community College (Florida) in cooperation with the public school system. The assessment was initiated by college administrators who needed information to plan appropriate programs and services for the residents living in a newly created service area. The…

In 1976 the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges Center for Community Education conducted a survey to investigate community education/services at community and junior colleges nationwide. Questionnaires were sent to 1,275 public and private two-year colleges; response rate was 61.7%. Results of the survey are divided into sections…

In an action research project, local citizens and community groups (often in collaboration with school professionals) investigate community-defined issues. Action research is geared to help people think clearly about an issue and find the resources they need to face it. In such a project, citizens develop skills in organizing, finding resources,…

This book is intended to aid school officials in conducting effective community surveys for the purpose of improving citizen involvement and influence in educational decision-making. Although the book is of considerable value when used alone, it is designed for use as part of a set of related publications collectively entitled, "Factual Politics."…

Emphasizing public, school, and academic libraries, the book provides information on library and information services for Hispanics. Topics of the 10 chapters include: the geographical distribution and concentrations, attitudes, and pertinent sociocultural factors of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Latinos; assessment of an Hispanic…

In an effort to determine external and internal reasons for program, course, enrollment, and instructional differences in the strength of the humanities curriculum at two-year colleges, 20 colleges representing a variety of sizes, geographic locations, means of control, and program emphases were selected for site visits. Interviews revealed that…

Noting that as many as 15 million elementary school children are regularly left without adult supervision for several hours after school each day until an adult returns home from work, this book focuses on what is happening and what could happen to latchkey children in terms of the community as a whole, as well as in regard to public libraries.…

A study was made to determine the adult public's expectations and attitudes about public libraries in the southern Maryland region, which encompasses St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert counties. Survey instruments and interviewing procedures were developed to make these determinations to create profiles of the library user and non-user based on age,…

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the development of new, planned communities has resulted in the provision of better schools and educational opportunities than are provided in less-planned suburban developments. The book outlines the steps and stages in planning an educational system for new communities--building new…

Based on 500 randomly selected interviews, data were gathered concerning the use of Burnaby Public libraries, Vancouver. Users were questioned about their reading habits, literature preferences, interests, and knowledge and use of the public library. The document contains details about the survey design, execution, and results. (EMH)

Drawing from a national survey of 9,000 community and technical college department chairs in the United States and Canada, this book offers insights on the personal characteristics, responsibilities, challenges, and strategies of chairs. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the study, including information on its rationale and purpose, instrument…