Part 1 of a two-part series, this volume presents three separate policy studies done using a contextual research, development, and innovation (RD & I) analysis framework developed by the authors. The studies are intended to demonstrate the requirements and possibilities for policy analysis in the RD & I arena and the utility of the framework for facilitating such endeavors and for providing structure to the knowledge and literature in this field. The first policy analysis, done for the National Institute of Education (NIE), looks at research, development, dissemination, and evaluation research in the field of education and suggests implications for the role of NIE. The second policy analysis provides a systems analysis of educational RD & I evaluating the current state of the system. The third policy analysis discusses and points out deficiencies in two reports. The first report is one done by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concerning fundamental research relevant to education and written to help the NIE fulfill its responsibility in this area. The second report analyzed is a response to the NAS report done by the Program Committee of the National Council on Educational Research. This report also contains a series of policy recommendations for NIE. Copies of both reports are included in the appendix. (Author/JM)