As a major funder of research on intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), NIH has a broad view of the profound impact of cultural and structural barriers on the characteristics of IDD study populations and the composition of the IDD research workforce. While long overdue, multiple efforts are currently underway across NIH aimed at…

The Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) congratulates the Commonwealth Government on the development of the National Career Development Strategy Green Paper. This is a timely and important document that provides a framework to demonstrate the central contribution that career development services play in supporting individuals,…

Summarizes the status, organization, and themes of national research programs in information science. National plans from six countries are explored with respect to the planning organizations, content of national research plans, and desirable elements of a strategy for building the new discipline. (SW)

The Federal Republic of Germany's space policy is designed to promote basic research, contribute to the development of space technology, and apply the findings in the public and private sectors. It is also aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the West German space industry and helping countries of the Third World to solve their development…

The nature of diversity in Australian universities is examined through an assessment of the impact of the Martin Report of 1965. The report deals with the philosophical and educational framework appropriate for thinking about the role and functions of the Australian universities, colleges, and teachers' colleges. (Author/SF)

The implication for universities of a trend to orient research and development to national needs is explored. University research policies are responding to fears of losing internally funded research and a growing reliance on external funds. (MLW)

Organizational aspects and implementation of Switzerland's national research program that promote goal-oriented research in the service of the general public are described. The Federal Council of Switzerland decides on the topics to be researched and the National Fund is responsible for carrying out the programs. (Author/SF)

This research brief highlights studies of nationally- and locally-based youth mentoring programs. The programs were evaluated on an experimentally based design which compared a group of youth randomly assigned to a mentoring program with a group of youth who were not so assigned. The study found overall that mentoring programs can be effective…

This paper presents a review and comparison of qualitative improvements in the organization, needs assessment, educational methodology, evaluation, and research in continuing medical education in the United States and Canada. Accreditation, medical schools, medical societies and specialty boards, and health care systems and continuing medical…

Austrian higher education is described with specific reference to the organization and study reforms that Austrian universities have undergone. The increasing number of Austrian students may require continuing reform of the higher education system and the future outlook is discussed. (BH)

Intended to assist Agency for International Development (AID) officers, advisors, and health officials in incorporating health planning into national plans for economic development, this fourth of ten manuals in the International Health Planning Methods Series deals with sociocultural, psychological, and behavioral factors that affect the planning…