Use of Perry's developmental scheme to test college students' intellectual development found that instead of developmental stages, there are two possible general attitudes taken toward knowledge: it (1) consists of facts to be supplied by faculty; or (2) is a quest in which students have responsibility for their own learning. (Author/MSE)

A study of University of Alberta freshmen's attitudes about their university experiences and their transition from high school focused on influences in their attendance, personal goals, self-perceived preparation for college, curriculum difficulty, adjustment needs, and fulfillment of expectations. (MSE)

A comparison of the similar economic but different political outcomes of retrenchment strategies at McGill University and the University of Montreal suggests that the key to success is matching the content of the strategy with an implementation process consistent with the particular institutional context. (Author/MSE)

The pursuit of objectivity is among the most critical yet unresolved problems confronting the study of higher education. The entire process of research is theory-laden, putting into question the possibility of objectivity in historical investigation. A change of approach to address this issue is recommended. (MSE)

Some ideological and empirical themes that are emerging in relevant sociological literature on higher education in English Canada are explored, concentrating on the studies dealing with inequality of access to education beyond high school, and particularly the search for the sources of inequality in socioeconomic status, region, and sex.…

Psychological research, it is suggested, has made significant contributions to Canadian higher education. Cognition and learning, the measurement of student abilities, instruction, the evaluation of teaching, student characteristics, the organization and operation of the university, and program evaluation are examined. (Author/MLW)

Postsecondary aspirations (educational and occupational) of high school seniors from five different residential settings (rural farm, rural nonfarm, village, small-town, and large city) in Durham, Ontario, are examined. Two variables account for most of the variance: parental expectations and peer group. (Author/MLW)

Factors that influence student evaluation of teaching are analyzed. Evaluations carried out at Wilfrid Laurier University show that grades granted by instructors do not relate significantly to the evaluations of that instructor by students. Factors that do relate include early morning classes, small classes, optional subjects, and senior classes.…

The results of an experiment to determine the effects of questionnaire format, reminder format, and follow-up format on both response rate and response speed in a mail survey are reported. The study used a random sample of students in the six part-time degree programs at the University of Saskatchewan. (Author/MLW)

A study in selected Canadian universities of deans' roles and functions tried to identify the dimensions of an effective deanship, focusing on these variables and their interrelationships: managerial effectiveness, conflict-handling modes, length of time in office, and size of the faculty. (MSE)

It is argued that Canadian teacher education is characterized by a paradox of change and no change. The cause is delinquency in implementation, with the abilities to change at the structural and practice levels poorly matched. Barriers to change, institutions' role tensions inhibiting their functioning, and institutional differences are discussed.…

A survey of Capilano College students by age group to determine any significant, substantive differences in student needs revealed that, despite several distinguishing characteristics in the below- and over-25 groups, younger and older students have a common set of needs. Older students have more needs and feel them more acutely. (Author/MSE)

A study of degree completion rates, time taken to earn degrees, and final academic standing in two universities showed wide variation between faculty and academic department, between the universities, between males and females, and between direct entry and transfer students. Assessment of the impact of rising admissions standards is recommended.…

A survey of Canadian agencies and institutions collecting materials on higher education is reported. Four problem areas are identified: definitions, collection policies, accessibility, and collection coordination. Further information exchange and the compilation of a more complete directory of collections are recommended. (MSE)

The decline in research and publications in the field of the economics of education are examined. Topics researched are identified: resource allocation, productivity of education institutions, alternative modes for financing institutions and students, and rationalization of the supply of places through educational and human resources training.…