Requests to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for postsecondary education data were analyzed and compared to previously identified issues. Summaries of telephone requests (log entries) and files of letter requests from January 1977 through December 1977 were studied. A single coding scheme was developed for both letter and phone requests for information; all log entries and letter requests during 1977 were reviewed and those dealing with postsecondary education were coded. For the log entries, 2,426 of the 4,211 entries were coded; for the letters, 2,514 out of 3,131 were coded. Coded requests were sent to key entry where they were transcribed onto discs, verified, and computer edited. The requests are described in terms of the following variables: date, affiliation of requester, publications sent, type of response, trend or projection, educational level of request, student attributes, practical descriptors, and issue areas. Issues identified by the logs and letters are compared to issues identified by a separate content analysis of opinions of educational leaders. A method of coding information when a request is received, entering the information on an interactive computer system, and using standardized editing and summary report programs is suggested. Procedures developed for the collection of data, a describtion of the study variables, and a summary of typical telephone and log requests are discussed, and a coding manual for NCES coding form is appended. (SW)