Studied the influence of demographic variables on the British public's perceptions of the usefulness of retaining faculties from different disciplines. Found that people's perceptions of what is worthy are not based on political affiliation but are dependent on a number of socioeconomic variables. (EV)

Surveyed British academics, hypothesizing that the effect of Britain's Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) on individual academics is dependent on their self-assessed level of research activity. Found that the RAE's effect does appear to be dependent on level of research activity, with moderately active researchers the most influenced to increase…

Considers the possibility of simplifying academic knowledge, and of taking its aesthetic dimension seriously, and the implications this may have for education. Suggests principles for simplifying knowledge and provides examples from mathematics and statistics to illustrate how ideas and methods can be simplified to assist with the problems of the…

Seeks to persuade doubting educational researchers that there is practical value in pursuing truth, thereby opposing non-realist and relativist accounts of educational research. Reiterates Karl Popper's account of truth as a standard at which to aim, and offers a defense of the correspondence theory of truth as a guiding principle for educational…

Examined the perceptions of university marketers in southern Africa. Found a varying awareness of the significance of marketing, with more mature institutions exhibiting more developed marketing orientations. Strategies ranged from marketing as public relations to marketing as sales, with universities in South Africa the only ones demonstrating a…

Explores what happens to knowledge in corporate universities operating as knowledge producers in a knowledge economy, asserting that current discussions about higher education forget that the university functions as a custodian of knowledge. Uses principles of the Enlightenment to show that the knowledge needed to maintain the knowledge system…

Analyzes results of over 500 subject review visits by Britain's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Notes that the grades show a significant increase over previous years and considers what may have caused this. Suggests that it is the result of improved institutional knowledge of the process and also genuine quality enhancement in the…

Draws upon the experiences of participants in a Ph.D. program and a professional doctorate program to explore the descriptors for doctorates used by Britain's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Concludes that analysis of the similarities and differences between doctorate program types reveals qualitative distinctions that the QAA fails to address.…

Surveyed academics for the impact of Britain's Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), an assessment and funding mechanism, on their research behavior. Compared results to an earlier study (McNay, 1997) for significant differences. Found that the RAE time scale and the perceived preferences of RAE panel members are increasingly influencing choice of…

Asserts that the university is in the process of transformation and that interpretations of data intended to show the features of this reinvented university are not completely satisfactory. Suggests that previously published views may be too optimistic and hierarchical, and that an egalitarian if pluralistic university structure and…

Factors altering the higher education industry include radical change in the type of students, necessity of lifetime education, and new technologies. These factors are increasing the entry of private-sector players. Strategic university responses may be strengthening of accreditation, cost-cutting and efficiency measures, horizontal…

Recognizing that lifelong learning is broader than continuing education, providers must move to organizational and community models of learning and seek private and philanthropic funding sources for lifelong learning programs. Continuing education professionals should adopt a new orientation to their professional role. (SK)

Current models of university continuing education resemble traditional higher education and do not meet the needs of people in or near retirement. Constraints on change include a mindset focused on formal education as career development, the need for programs to be self-sufficient, and a reward structure that does not support programs for older…

A survey of continuing education providers showed the need for greater investment in marketing, cultivation of outsourcing relationships, staff development in marketing techniques, and new ways of communicating the message to potential customers. (SK)

Reports the results of a survey that identified 2,500 certificate programs at more than 400 universities. Discusses findings related to quality, nomenclature, governance, management, curriculum, faculty, students, and finance. (SK)