A study initiated in July 1973 had as its primary objective to identify and define guidelines for the appraisal of research in all fields represented at the Pennsylvania State University. Through interviews and selected working papers, a team of investigators inquired into centers of administrative decisionmaking at several levels and in all subject areas of the university. In effect, the study traced the evaluative circuitry of the institution and compared it where feasible with that of other universities and external research agencies. Among matters addressed are: academic evaluative procedures (promotion and tenure, proposal selection, program reviews) as they relate to the conduct of research; ethical considerations; collegial organization; and institutes, centers, and extra-collegial laboratories as research agencies of the university. (MSE)