The first of three studies presented in this report investigated the role of the academic dean/dean of instruction as related to the effectiveness of educational leadership in junior colleges. Using the Educational Administrative Style Diagnosis Test and the Educational Administrative Appropriateness Test, 60 deans, representing 47 Texas community colleges, were surveyed; 88% responded. No significant difference was found between dominant administrative styles and ability to choose the more appropriate behavior in a variety of situations. In the second study, deans of instruction at 29 small Texas junior colleges were surveyed to determine the level of institutional or in-house research; whether a systematic procedure for compiling information existed, what information was compiled, how it was used, and who used it. Responses from 26 deans indicated that only 9 schools budgeted for institutional research, and 12 respondents felt the level of research was adequate. The final study presents the results of a survey of college and university presidents and school superintendants in member institutions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on their attitudes toward external degree programs; attitudes were significantly more positive toward external programs in direct relationship to the similarity to traditional doctoral degrees. Abstracts of ten other research reports are included. (MB)