Reviews the environmental research of the California Institute of Technology. Caltech's environmental quality laboratory brings together scientists, engineers, and economists to tackle interdisciplinary problems that have implications for public policy. (Author/CO)

Explores reasons for the tenuous relationship between educational research and educational practice. Suggests changes in research and policy to bring educational research directly to bear on educational problems. The major problem is that researchers are searching for variables that relate to improved outcomes, whereas educational innovators are…

Provides a critical overview of articles in this issue on field work in administration and policy. Focuses on three recurrent themes: field worker role; reciprocity (the repayment a fieldworker makes to his or her informants); and ethics. (KH)

Presents excerpts from a symposium in Charlottesville (VA) at which researchers, policymakers, and journalists discussed educational issues and the relationship of research to reform. Discusses issues concerning communication problems between groups and why it is important to keep talking with each other. Explores ways of improving the…

Presents five goals of a policy and research agenda for dropout prevention: (1) to develop commonly accepted definition of dropout; (2) to improve methods of pupil accounting; (3) to separate causes and identifiers of at-risk behavior; (4) to analyze relevance of questions asked about at-risk youth; and (5) to engage in institutional…

This report discusses considerations involved in placing the evaluation process for criminal justice agencies within an organizational and practical context. The discussion proceeds from the following perspectives: (1) program evaluation is a policy/management tool; (2) various levels of policy and management personnel have numerous and varied…

Though there are substantial funding resources for supporting mental health research, Black scholars have not received their fair share of the funds in this area. Both affirmative action programs and community pressure are needed to solve this problem and to place increasing numbers of Blacks in policymaking positions. (Author/GC)

Reviews the findings of the White House Science Council's Panel on the Health of United States Colleges and Universities. Assesses the university research community funding policy. Makes recommendations for policy change, facility improvement, and restructuring of grants. (JM)

Cites the need for promoting science/technology management and policy formation in Thailand, viewing contributions of science/technology to the socioeconomic development of the country as high priorities. Criteria for selecting priority areas and key problems are noted; they include relevance to development, availability of human resources, and…

Japanese science/technology policies emphasize creative research management for strengthening breakthrough innovation. Key lessons include the following: cultivation of creative researchers, clear strategic directions, systematic teamwork and collaboration, focus on strategic industrial relevance, balance between autonomy and control, and the need…

Focusing on the elements of the federal budget process involved in setting policies and priorities for resource allocations that affect the science and engineering base, this report serves to help facilitate a dialogue within the congressional and executive branches of the United States government on science policy. Emphasis is directed to the…

The papers in this collection were presented at an international symposium on improving the management of urban research, particularly through city-university collaboration. An introductory framework paper summarizes the range of research services available to local government, the types of urban research activity, and the problems of urban…

Examines the history of data on child health and suggests ways that data could be more useful in informing policy decisions. Summarizes findings of an assessment of the effectiveness of medical care for a variety of childhood conditions. Lists recommendations of a task force on dealing with decreases in publicly funded service programs for the…

Many proposals have been made for new universities in U.S. research and development (R&D) systems. However, current foundations and strengths should be examined before attempting untried approaches. Areas addressed include the supporting environment, university research system, industrial R&D capability, defense-related R&D, and…

Surveys existing approaches to family policy research, such as family evaluation research and family impact analysis, and an additional model termed research for family policy. These models are compared and contrasted. Family policy advocacy is differentiated from family policy research. A list of generalizations is drawn from the discussion.…