The purpose of this paper is to indicate how the ambivalent posture of the government toward families has affected federal support of research on the family and studies of the family as educator. After an introductory section providing background information about American public policy, families, and education, the discussion centers on the…

Perhaps no facet of long-term care (LTC) research has received as much attention as the evaluation of community-based LTC demonstrations. Recent thinking has called into question the validity and policy relevance of the findings of these studies, yet their efforts will continue to receive strong financial backing. The time has come for LTC…

This yearbook contains papers, written by prominent educators, on the use of research in teaching. Also examined are the questions of how the education profession obtains its knowledge, how that knowledge is translated into practice, and how that practice becomes artistic. Chapters are written on: (1) use of research by various professions; (2)…

Three papers and two responses comprise this section comparing the degree to which research is utilized among various professions. Christine H. McGuire, in "Diffusion and Application of New Knowledge in Medicine," states that, because the medical profession must serve people with clearly perceived problems, these practitioners are under…

In order for researchers to develop principles for successful adult education, they must use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The first step in developing principles for adult education is to describe education and practices through descriptive research that objectively quantifies and classifies aspects of practice. Through an…

This case study, one in a series of research efforts designed to examine the utilization of the Administration on Aging's research, describes the different types of uses of findings of the Home Equity Conversion Project (HECP), which developed ways of converting home equity into usable income. The first chapter describes the project and overviews…

Evidence indicates that lack of an explicit planning paradigm may account for widely reported unsystematic staff development and ineffective inservice teacher education programs. No published paradigm-related study provides a comprehensive framework for staff development. This paper synthesizes and develops a set of classes and models into a…

This paper cites several examples of the outcomes assessment activities taking place on college campuses and their impact on the freshman educational experience. Outcomes assessment is viewed as the impetus for faculty to make responsive improvements in higher education practices. Improvements derived from assessment activities are being…

A study reviewed 88 doctoral dissertations written during a 4-year period in the 1980s on the use of feedback for performance improvement. The purpose was to sugget applications of the findings to teaching improvement in postsecondary education, and to determine the extent to which faculty development centers contribute to this research.…

The findings from a series of case studies of nine successful demonstration programs are summarized. The programs, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, included child development, vocational education, technology, economic development, and housing. The primary purpose of the case studies was to discover what makes programs successful. A…

Research discoveries over the past 15 years concerning reading comprehension have had a significant impact on reading instruction, particularly schema theory. This theory, based on prior learning, which states that the reader uses the text to construct a meaning within his or her own mind, affects what teachers can do to help students improve…

Intended for elementary and secondary school English teachers, this thematic journal issue offers practical suggestions and strategies to help educators improve their professional image, both in the classroom and in the larger sphere of the community. The titles and authors of the eight articles are as follows: (1) "Raising Your…

Whether termed "quality indicators,""student outcomes," or "measures of accountability," the concern for educational effectiveness is surfacing as the new focus for community colleges. Key to the realization of educational accountability is the availability of solid research information that can assess to what extent results are being achieved.…

This study investigated the impact of effective instruction research findings on the way student teachers think and talk about their teaching and the kinds of instructional strategies they demonstrate. The focus was on the influence of the cooperating teacher, the university supervisor, and weekly seminars. Twelve student teachers were divided…

This digest highlights features of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), explains how to use the system most effectively, and offers suggestions on how health and physical education teacher education faculty can present and use the ERIC system to supplement classroom instruction. Following a description of how resources in ERIC can…