Sorting Out the Roles of Research in the Improvement of Practice

This paper discusses the effectiveness of research‐based educational approaches on classroom practice. In order to help educators maximize benefits from research in improving practice, it is important to inform them of the nature and roles of research. This essay begins by discussing current cynicism regarding the usefulness of research‐based strategies in the field of education. Because of the large body of conflicting “research‐based” information, many educators are finding themselves confused and alienated by the phrase “research shows.” Using examples of high‐quality research that utilizes diverse methodologies, a framework is presented for thinking about various types of research and their implications.     

The Role of the Technical Institute in the Next Decade

During the next ten years, technical institute education in the United States should be expanded ten times while other forms of higher education are doubled. Only in this way will we be able to get efficient utilization of our scientists and engineers. The many developments in science and technology that will take place in the next decade will call for a greatly expanded technical manpower team, and the largest potential source of 1957. supply is the manpower pool composed of individuals with aptitudes that qualify them to become engineering technicians. We can produce twice as many engineering technicians as engineers for the invested educational dollar, for the engineering technician is graduated in two years while the engineer needs four years. Through better acceptance of the engineering technician by industry and the engineering profession, this much needed expansion is bound to be realized.     

Journals and issues of privacy and confidentiality

Considers the protection of personal information and the right to privacy in medical publishing, with the practical difficulties of preserving anonymity.     

Does higher education promote independent learning? A discussion

References are as given in Gow's paper.