In order to explore possible impacts of changing information technology on the role of the institutional research analyst, three institutional research foundations, measurement, human information processing, and decision support technology are examined. (Author/MLW)

The perceived success of EDUCOM's Financial Planning Model (EFPM) and the relationship between success and organizational services--the integrator functions--that support EFPM's use are examined. The study finds that the integrator functions are significantly related to success. (Author/MLW)

A study assessed the relationship between the freshman-year experience and the importance students attach to the educational goals of gaining a liberal education, developing career knowledge and skills, enhancing personal knowledge and improving interpersonal skills. (Author/MLW)

Analysis of the relationship between number of published articles and student ratings was undertaken for two large and diverse faculty groups. Elements of teacher effectiveness studied included course value, student-faculty interaction, course organization, communication, materials, course difficulty and workload, and tests. Only in the social…

Judgment policies of personnel and affirmative action officers were examined in one state's colleges and universities by identifying 13 possible program effectiveness criteria. Results suggest attitudes and procedures were the most important effectiveness criteria; institution type and size had no moderating effects. (MSE)

The appropriateness of using academic departments as a level of analysis of organizational administration is examined. Factors analyzed include homogeneity of faculty responses to measures of organizational structure, environmental uncertainty, and task routineness. Results were mixed, demonstrating the importance of empirically testing rather…

Economic activity generated by federally-supported research and development in New York State is estimated at 3.7 times the level of original federal spending, generating enough national and state tax revenues to offset the original federal outlay of taxpayers' money. Results support continued aid to higher education during fiscal crises. (MSE)

Patterns of degree selection in 1970-71 and 1978-79 are compared with each other and with that of men. The rate at which women's representation in a field changes is judged by an index of rate of change, and the redistribution of women among fields is analyzed. Possible explanations are offered. (MSE)

Prestige hierarchies used in studying other organizations are examined for application to 108 faculty, administrator, researcher, and other positions and ranks in universities. Results show university prestige to be a microcosm of national prestige, with a similar socioeconomic base. (MSE)

Data gathered on three kinds of tests (closed-book, open-book, and take-home) covered possible differential achievement on knowledge and cognitive-skill items, student attitudes, and cheating. On take-home tests, scores on knowledge items were found to higher, anxiety level was lower, and cheating was not a problem. (MSE)

Using U.S. Office of Education data, bachelor's degree awards in seven curriculum areas in black land-grant institutions from 1967 to 1977 were analyzed. A widening range of curriculum pursuits was found, with increases particularly in business, engineering, and the social sciences, and a large decrease in education. (MSE)

Although empirical accounts of organizational decision making often show that the process is not a rational one, a study of budgeting at Stanford University during the 1970s, while not conclusive or comprehensive, supported the claim that the institution's process was rational and provided a procedure for testing a decision-making model. (MSE)

When faculty and department heads rated alternative responses to retrenchment pressures in a fictitious but realistic situation, few differences were found among department heads' and tenured and nontenured faculty's preferences. Most preferred protecting instructional programs even at the cost of research and service activities. Implications for…

Two studies examining the effect of grade inflation on the piling up of grades in fewer grade categories and on the reliability of grade point averages found that reliability suffered significantly only in graduate study in which almost all grades were in two categories, A and B. Some other small effects were found in different rating scales. (MSE)

A study of buyer's, seller's, and stable markets' effects on 371 faculty showed those promoted in a buyer's market have slower promotions and are more productive than those promoted in other market conditions. The impact of tight market conditions on productivity was also found greatest for ranks under full professor. (MSE)