Seven papers on educational research and educational improvement are presented. Robert Glaser, in the introduction, states that efforts to realize our aspirations for educational change, as well as in the social surroundings and public attitudes that aid school reforms, can be greatly assisted through research. John B. Carroll discusses significant educational research and the process of educational research's impact on education. James S. Coleman offers recommendations for planning educational policy research and for publishing the results. Harold Howe II reflects on the difficulties involved in the acceptance of educational research and the difficulty of convincing political authorities to support it, and presents the concept of disciplined inquiry. Robert A. LeVine describes research in comparative education and human development that has influenced attitudes toward the effects of education. Jacob Mincer considers the role of education in economic growth and its effects on wage structure in the labor market, and discusses the concepts of overeducation and undereducation. Lauren B. Resnick emphasizes the importance of cognitive science in improving instruction. Finally, Lee S. Shulman links research on teaching and learning with improvement of teaching and teacher training. (GDC)