Introduces a set of companion essays that examine reviews as a mode of inquiry. Explores the practice and outcomes of reviews in their political and conceptual contexts as research methodology and considers what a review is, what it reveals, who benefits from a review, and the actions implied by review findings. (SLD)

Includes "Putting Research Findings into Practice to Improve Testing" (Dyer); "Using Research Findings" (Knight); "Show Me the Money" (Osborne); "Program of Activities" (Torres, Dormody); "May Cannibals Ask Questions?" (Edwards); "Experiential Learning" (Andreasen); and "Research into Practice: A Complex, Unpredictable Process" (Budke). (SK)

A series of workshops to help British nurses learn to appraise research and use it in practice was evaluated through questionnaires and study of three workshop sites. The programs effectively reduced fear and increased understanding of research, overcoming the problem of jargon. Critical appraisal skills were improved. (SK)

Suggests why qualitative research is frequently neither discussed nor used by the broad public, considering five barriers to making research more accessible, discussing how to make it more germane to problems faced by diverse groups in their everyday lives, and offering constructive ways to make qualitative research findings more accessible to the…

A survey of 127 universities found increased numbers licensing patented technologies to businesses. Elements aiding this increase included policies encouraging faculty entrepreneurship and a business support system that helps identify industry needs and ways to be responsive. (SK)

The Cochrane Collaboration is an international project to locate, review, and disseminate information on available randomized controlled trials of health care interventions. Occupational therapists can use it to learn about best practices and evaluate research relevant to their clients. (SK)

Describes the action research model used by the Pennsylvania Action Research Network, summarizes impact evaluation results since 1995, and concludes that the network has had a major impact on the professional development of adult educators in the state. (SK)

The National Research Council proposes to improve student learning through its Strategic Education Research Program. With its focus on effective translation of research into practice, the proposal fails to acknowledge the public and professional value of research as a source of understanding, reflection, and action. Presents educational,…

Practices to ensure access of students with disabilities to general education include assessments, reading instruction, cooperative learning, strategy-based instruction, accommodation practices, block scheduling, co-teaching, and technology. Organizational and systemic change should be the ultimate outcome of the use of research-based practices.…

Discusses some of the processes involved in the data flow from U.S. schools through U.S. school districts and examines what is involved in making the data as accurate as possible. Explores how the data, as information, can flow back down to districts and how that flow can be increased. (SLD)

Compares Carr and Kemmis' view of action research, linked to the emancipatory political ideology of critical theory, with Dewey's pragmatic epistemology, focused on moving from a problem identified in experience through a means-end continuum that guides inquiry. (Contains 28 references.) (SK)

A 20-year review of literature on return to work outcomes for ill or injured persons found that research is largely atheoretical and the knowledge base fragmented. The Occupational Competence Model can fill this gap by reflecting the multidimensional nature of work disability (personal, environmental, and occupational dimensions) and factors…

Today's brain research is unveiling new information that supports and advocates for the methodologies and practices seen in technology education laboratories. Technology educators must keep current in order to apply this information in teaching. (JOW)

If vocational psychology is to realize its potential as a developmental science, it must speak authoritatively on substantive questions of vocational development and integrate research findings with those of other fields. This will contribute to the larger framework of life-span human development. (Contains 36 references.) (Author/SK)

This article describes what a structured abstract is and how a structured abstract can help researchers sort out information. Today over 1,000 education journals publish more than 20,000 articles in the English language each year. No systematic tool is available at present to get the research findings from these tens of thousands of articles to…