Constituted to include research users, the ad hoc Committee on Community Services Research in the Northeast analyzed the problems and information needs of community service personnel during a conference session. Issues and questions derived from this initial interchange were categorized and then translated into research problems. Criteria employed to determine research priorities included: (1) relevance; (2) resource availability; (3) significance of the problem area; and (4) current status of research. Highest research priorities established in reference to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the 14 land-grant institutions in the 12-state Northeast region included: solid wastes; public housing; physical and mental preventive and long run term health care; elementary and secondary education; social services for the aging and for children. Highest priority research programs were identified as: (1) current state of knowledge: (2) analyses of alternative organizational arrangements (cost-quantity-quality relationships, cost benefit of effectiveness, distribution of burdens and benefits, citizen satisfaction and system adaptability); (3) evaluation of local, state, and national programs and policies; (4) methodologies for assessing and projecting needs for community services; (5) assessment of national needs for community services in rural areas. (JC)