Reviews some major characteristics of ethnography as they apply to policy issues and policy formulation, and ethnography's utility from the perspective of how public educational policy is made. Discusses the potential contributions of ethnography and the responsibilities ethnographers must consider if their work is to have an impact on public…

Provides a critical overview of articles in this issue on field work in administration and policy. Focuses on three recurrent themes: field worker role; reciprocity (the repayment a fieldworker makes to his or her informants); and ethics. (KH)

Uses the concepts of slogans and slogan systems to examine the degree to which educational innovations convey meanings that differ from their ostensible purpose. As an example, discusses the organization and use of slogans in a Federally funded instructional program. (Author/GC)