In the midst of disciplinary and public debates about education at open-access institutions, it's more important than ever that institutions set a clear path for inquiry and scholarship that will meet the needs of the professional community. This essay provides an assessment of the research achievements in two-year college English, particularly…

In 2001 the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) put forth guidelines for the ethical treatment of students during research in composition studies, and several scholars have voiced their fears and opinions. This paper cautions that the Guidelines' reliance on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to protect students may unintentionally…

Of 460 two-year colleges responding to a national survey in 1973-74, 63 percent reported some kind of institutional research, but only 15 percent reported that their colleges routinely based important decisions on the results of this research. The most popular areas of research were students, student services, and institutional operations. Other…

Drawing from a bibliographic survey of statistical data on two-year colleges, this digest indicates what kinds of data are available, what data are not readily accessible, and the limitations that affect the available information on two-year college finances, curriculum, students, and personnel. The digest recognizes the availability of data on…

INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH IN THE JUNIOR COLLEGES IS A RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND UNTIL THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ERIC CLEARINGHOUSE FOR JUNIOR COLLEGE INFORMATION, NO EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DISSEMINATING THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH HAS BEEN AVAILABLE. CERTAIN GAPS EXIST IN TYPES OF RESEARCH, PROBLEMS STUDIED, AND FOCUS--(1) STUDIES OF STUDENTS COMMONLY…

Advocates focus group research, in which a homogeneous group led by a trained moderator discusses a carefully selected research question, as a qualitative tool well suited for community colleges. Offers case studies and the following guidelines: establish collegewide administrative procedures, carefully select/train on-campus moderators, and…

TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN WASHINGTON COMMUNITY COLLEGES, A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED AMONG THE FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS. THE RESEARCHERS IDENTIFIED 38 PROBLEM AREAS, ALL OF WHICH WERE REPORTED TO BE OF AT LEAST MODERATE IMPORTANCE. RESULTS WERE TABULATED IN FOUR CATEGORIES--(1)…

IN ADDITION TO AN ANNOTATED LISTING OF RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE INSTITUTE, TWO ADDRESSES ARE REPRODUCED. MAURICE L. LITTON REVIEWED THE BASIC STEPS OF PROBLEM SOLVING, DESCRIBED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH DESIGN, AND URGED THAT THE RESULTS OF STUDIES BE SHARED WITH OTHERS. IN STRESSING THE VALUE OF USING THE…

Needed research refers to both the kind of study and the area in which the work is done. Design elements and characteristics for needed research include (1) normative studies, (2) statements of statistical significance, (3) precisely formulated problems, (4) carefully defined hypotheses, (5) well-defined populations and randomly selected samples,…

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESPONDING TO GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS USUALLY RESTS WITH STUDENT PERSONNEL PROGRAMS, WHICH CONSIST OF SERIES OF RELATED FUNCTIONS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM, RESPOND TO STUDENT NEEDS, AND FOSTER INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF FULFILLMENT OF…

Present examples of the difficulty of relying on computer programs to identify and communicate with students in academic difficulty, while still making room for human intervention and professional judgement. Illustrates some of the limitations of computer tracking systems. (DMM)

Study of college faculty has been hampered by the variation in types of institutions, the difficulty of obtaining an accurate faculty sample, and poor response rates to large-scale surveys. This document examines various approaches to conducting large-scale faculty surveys, and describes a suggested procedure to mitigate methodological problems.…

Argues that the need for research on the community college is intensified by the ever-changing character of learner needs and community conditions. Addresses two criticisms of two-year college research: the same questions are researched repeatedly and the effort overtaxes institutions. Calls for a stronger research base on the two-year college.…

Describes a method of evaluation which ensures maximum yield. Mentions common pitfalls in evaluation procedures and proposes Reality-Based Evaluation (RBE) as a safeguard against them. Outlines RBE and concludes that evaluation results must play an active role in bringing about change. (JG)