As part of Project IMPACT's effort to identify and develop procedures for complying with the impact requirements of Public Law 94-482, a field study was conducted to identify and validate variables and their order of importance in predicting and evaluating impact of research and development (R&D) projects in vocational and technical education. Another purpose of the study was to suggest an "Impact Rating Scale" for predicting impact of such projects. Impact variables for research, development, or R&D projects were identified by reviewing literature on the evaluation and impact of education projects and scientific innovations. Two major sets of variables (processes and effects) were identified for each category of projects. On the basis of this, predictive and evaluative impact variables were determined, and variables were ordered to propose an Impact Rating Scale. The five highest rated predictive impact variables were found to be quality of project product and use; quality of planning; quality of staff; market demand; and effects of project on teaching-learning procedures. The five highest rated evaluative impact variables were quality of product and use; effects of project on teaching-learning procedures; market demand for project product; effects of project on improvement of teacher quality; and effects of project on meeting vocational needs of special groups. Implications for further research include feasibility of fixing criteria for rating project proposals for making funding decisions. (KC)