This protocol guided the review of research that informs the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) practice guide entitled "Strategies for Postsecondary Students in Developmental Education -- A Practice Guide for College and University Administrators, Advisors, and Faculty." This protocol was used in conjunction with the "WWC Procedures…

This article presents the MERITS Plus model, a conceptual framework developed during qualitative research into the process of academic transition and the impact of educational choices upon learner identity. The article considers some of the methodological challenges faced by qualitative researchers, and how effective the use of a conceptual…

States' commitments to tackling long standing inequities have been stifled by missing data, long delays, insufficient data-analysis tools, and the excessive reporting burden placed on states and institutions. If states hope to achieve their completion and equity goals, they need access to data that does not leave them guessing--so they can…

Support services for students with disabilities is now a distinct field of practice in higher education, with a significant increase in the number of students receiving services, programs to serve them, and professionals who oversee the programs. The field has professional and program standards, a code of ethics, and a disability service specific…

This article is a commentary on a theme issue of "Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation" entitled "Consultation to Increase Educational Access and Improve Conditions for LGBTQ Youth." Writing from the perspective of researchers who have focused on social justice, the authors both provide a critique of the theme…

Research is a systematic investigation towards increasing the sum of human knowledge. Research in business education is aimed at increasing knowledge in the discipline and providing solutions to problems relating to curriculum, program evaluation and overall improvement in the teaching and learning process. There is no doubt that very high quality…

Much of recent research in postsecondary developmental education leaves the distinct impression that most remedial courses in community colleges are unsuccessful in helping students and that they should be entirely overhauled. Legislators and administrators are now taking these recommendations very seriously and are ready to cut programs that are…

This paper examines the quality of teaching and research in developing human resources to facilitate the development of tertiary education in the nation. It discusses the challenges and the roles of research in higher education. The author argues that the combination of content and pedagogical knowledge could help to develop human resources for…

Information on the divergence between student numbers and delivery hours for the period 2002 to 2007 is provided in this technical paper. The change in hours from one year to the next is decomposed into three effects, one of which is "hours inflation", whereby nominal hours increase over time for the same unit of competency or module.…

Hypothesizes that, because education is a multivariant process, research attempting to test hypotheses about univariant data will find "nonsignificant" results; several nonsignificant variables may cumulatively or in combination have a significant effect; and many "nonsignificant" findings result from inadequate research design and data analysis.…

A case study of a survey of new students made at a postsecondary vocational-technical school illustrates several sampling problems, including sample size, target population definition, determination of research purposes, costs, error tolerance, accuracy, and interpretation of research results for use by policymakers. (RW)

Analysis of National Postsecondary Student Aid Study data shows that one-third of all postsecondary students are in vocational programs; vocational enrollments declined at public community colleges 1986-1989, but were stable overall due to increases at four-year and proprietary schools. The study showed the usefulness of cross-sectional data for…

Many articles have appeared in the educational, instructional, and psychological literature questioning the adequacy of the technology available for devising instruction, and the usability of the instructional research literature as a source of the technology. A systematic planning model is a useful framework for organizing what has to be done to…

This document provides a framework for the creation of specific research objectives, projects, and programs of special interest to the postsecondary educational community and appropriate for the National Institute of Education. The staff of private foundations, educational and scholarly associations, student representatives, the federal…

The use of nominal group technique in course evaluation has these advantages: it restricts the researcher's influence, encourages respondents to frame their own responses, sustains individual autonomy during group pressure, and provides respondents with knowledge of the full range of possible responses. However, it also underestimates group…