The applicability and validity of NCHEMS' Information Exchange Procedures (IEP) to major research universities are examined. IEP enables peer institutions to compare information about their resources. The major research universities formed a task group to determine the use of IEP's focus points: costing methods and possible alternative approaches to information exchange. The alternative methods to information exchange are examined in this document, which is one of the three documents that constitute the final report of the NCHEMS Major Research Universities Task Force. Areas examined are: the nature of major research universities; the role of management in these institutions; information and its interpretation; and information exchange and comparability. The data formats and definitions are organized into seven major categories: program statement; student information; personnel information; finance information; instruction measures; research measures; and academic support information. Formats and definitions are offered based on the information needs of an academic department or other academic units. Together these formats and definitions constitute the conceptual structure of the information to be exchanged. The Major Research University-Information Exchange Procedures (MRU-IEP) concluded that by facilitating exchange among major research universities, this procedure manual will contribute to their more effective program. Possible improvements will be in such areas as: improved information formats, secured accountability protection, and improved diagnostic tools for internal evaluation. Included are example charts, instructions on how to use the given format, and complete definitions in the various areas discussed. (LC)