Examination of research comparing outcomes of technology-based distance education and traditional classroom-based learning found shortcomings and gaps. Three conclusions were reached: the notion of access to college via distance learning is unclear; technology cannot replace the human factor in learning; and technology is not nearly as important…

Using case study methodology, this paper examines how pairs of first-time high school student users navigated through a multimedia geography CD-ROM together. Discusses coding methods for student activity; student interaction; dialog analysis; multimedia literacy; and further research needs. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the convergence of educational programs for the information profession as information professionals handle more varied job responsibilities, including archival work, librarianship, and records management. Highlights include historical developments, partnerships, resource sharing, curriculum design, continuing education, research agendas,…

The successes and disappointments encountered in two programmatic efforts to incorporate effective instructional practices for students with learning disabilities into mainstream classroom activities are highlighted. The lessons learned from these two examples lead to implications for researchers and practitioners interested in improving…

Illustrates some of the challenges that electronic commerce practitioners and researchers face, focusing on business to business (B2B) transactions. Highlights include a conceptual framework of Web user behavior; purchasing context; socio-demographic characteristics; cultural factors; economic factors; attitudes toward information technology;…

Examines difficulties and complexities in researching issues of discrimination in education across European countries as a first step in devising intercultural curricula. Discusses cross-national differences in terminology, in the ways in which research issues related to racism and interculturalism are formulated, and in the educational experience…

Reviews school-choice literature, highlighting empirical studies and the role of evaluation. Discusses the welfare economics of education and provides a chronology of research milestones. Summarizes "pro" and "con" arguments, addresses efficiency/productivity questions, reviews prominent U.S. cases, and discusses how evaluation studies can assess…

Few differences in quality of life results are reported between different primary surgical treatments for breast cancer. Assumptions regarding the role of informed choice in psychosocial morbidity have not been substantiated, and fewer women than expected take an active role in decision making. Rigorous research is needed. (Author/EMK)

Despite the need for more and better research on rural education, recent federal policy trends favoring broadly applicable, "problem-centered" research threaten to abandon responsibility for "targeted" populations to the agendas of private and state-based organizations. Rural research funding is discussed in relation to the…

Describes a case study which explored the extent to which CD-ROM products can support the information needs in developing countries; assessed the economics of a system of CD-ROM databases supplemented by an online system; and investigated the breakeven analysis of the costs of searching CD-ROM versus online. (Contains 34 references.) (LRW)

Reveals that federal funding has deflected university psychological departments from the traditional social purpose of education and research toward a narrow value for grant-supported laboratory basic research. It argues that these departments should embrace quality applied scholarship to a greater extent, broaden the audience for their research…

Examines research on the fundamental contexts for social contact: the family and networks of social support. It focuses on the processes and dynamics within these systems of relationships that are considered vitally important to normal and abnormal mental and emotional development. (GR)

Discusses the complexity facing South African researchers in higher education as they try to overcome the heritage of the old, fragmented higher education system. Necessary paradigm shifts are identified, as are focus areas for improving the quality of South African higher education research at both national and institutional levels. (DB)

Explores how far British government policies influence academic values and ways of working through an examination of the United Kingdom Foresight Programme, a governmental effort to set priorities for research through identification of emerging technologies and markets. Feedback from scientists and social scientists found shifting attitudes toward…

Discussion of online education and the possible loss of teacher-student relationships focuses on a case study of a graduate nursing course that compared interactivity in online and face-to-face sections of the same course. Considers survey results that showed the online section perceiving less interactivity, and suggests further research. (LRW)