Produced as part of the Targeted Outcomes Field Development Project, this handbook provides basic guidelines that can be used by community colleges for organizing and conducting community impact studies. An introductory chapter touches on the broad range of economic, educational, social, and technological impacts which community colleges have upon their service areas. Chapter 2 discusses the following topics concerning planning and managing a study: choosing a project leader; determining the preliminary scope of the project; involving constituencies; designing the study with respect to data-collection tools, sampling, personnel considerations, and scheduling; and managing the study. Data collection procedures are discussed in Chapter 3. The section on survey instruments covers questionnaire design, use of open- or closed-ended items, wording and arrangement of items, pilot testing, distribution of costs, and follow-up studies; in addition, this chapter deals with record searches and interviews. Chapter 4 describes the tabulation, analysis, and dissemination of study data. Appendices contain the following: record search forms, examples of survey questionnaires and cover and follow-up letters, and an overview of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems outcomes structure. A bibliography is included. (MB)