Research can strengthen both the Asian American community and community-based service organizations. Academic research can be more valuable to service providers if researchers do the following: (1) define areas of concern; (2) keep research information updated and current; and (3) commit themselves to follow through. (PS)

Notes three features of current community service satisfaction research that hinder its progress: weakness of study designs, lack of standard service and disregard for how user satisfaction varies with service use. Makes recommendations regarding the content, reliability, validity, and analysis of useful measures of service satisfaction. (SB)

Researchers and service providers working in the field of the mental health aspects of mental retardation need to integrate their efforts, but barriers exist, including differences in culture, negative history, and competition for limited resources. Joint conferences and publications are recommended as well as graduate training programs and…

The four papers in a symposium on the cost effectiveness of community schools are presented here, with a brief introduction. The first paper outlines the procedures necessary for an analysis of cost-effectiveness and identifies the problems in applying this analysis to community schools, including variable selection and measurement and value…

This document is about a learning community created by two Mesa Community College faculty members. Their initial goal for creating the center was to improve student learning, deepen the relationship between faculty and students, etc. The program has a service-learning requirement that was implemented with the goal of preparing students to become…

Inadequacies in the quality and quantity of human services for Northeastern rural area residents prompted the seminar from which these transcripts are derived. Presented via chronological order, these transcripts reflect development of a framework and methodology for analysis of community service systems. Major seminar objectives are identified…

Prior to graduating from high school, the vast majority of youth in the United States will take part in at least one community service activity. Although it is frequently assumed that community service is inherently beneficial to those that take part, the activities and processes of youth service programs tend to be unsystematic and vary widely.…

Discusses the emphasis on promoting policy and practice changes based on research evidence in projects (funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) related to housing, social policy, social care, youth, and families. Discusses the difficulties in using random control trials for assessing the effectiveness of interventions with individuals. Concludes…

The past 22 years of research on the underutilization of mental health services by Mexican Americans are critically analyzed from conceptual and technical perspectives. While basic assertions of previous investigators that underutilization exists are correct, research concepts and methods used have been inadequate in relation to the issue's…

Research, while limited, finds that service learning positively affects participants as to social development, academic achievement, civic awareness, and career exploration. High-quality programs maximize student outcomes. The difference between service learning and community service is linkage to standards and specific curriculum content. Key…

Reports on a study of innovative city and county government programs in four western states. The study discovered widely divergent assessments of the same programs, dependent upon whether the survey instruments used qualitative or quantitative techniques. Discusses the possible reasons for this and the implications for future research. (MJP)

In 1997, the Finance Project convened a roundtable meeting of representatives from organizations who have been working to improve the financing of services and supports to young children and their families; the meeting was convened with the purpose of mapping an agenda for future research, development, and demonstration to support improvements in…