The controversy over Ph.D. vs. Ed.D. programs in higher education is examined, including discussion of differential research requirements and the ways in which traditional disciplines dominate thinking about the study of higher education. It is concluded that each field must define its own standards for each degree. (MSE)

Higher education research must focus on three categories-(institutional and system structures, educational processes, and higher education's capacity for change)-if it is to successfully integrate educational research with educational outcomes. (Author)

Student forms for evaluating instruction are examined from three perspectives: as forms themselves, through their relationship with their authors, and through the milieu in which they exist. Results suggest that the forms objectify students, reify knowledge, place themselves beyond criticism, and reinforce "banking" education and closed learning…

An alternative method of approaching research on postsecondary learning and teaching that is designed to reduce redundancy is outlined, with illustrations from research on student ratings of courses and teachers and other topics. (MSE)

The legislative history of legislation concerning disclosure of standardized college admissions test items is reviewed, the effect of existing laws in California and New York is outlined, and public policy and legal questions leading to and resulting from the legislation are discussed. (MSE)

The concept of faculty effectiveness, individually and as a group, is examined, changes in the criteria of effectiveness in the course of faculty careers are considered, and suggestions for assessing effectiveness are discussed. (MSE)

Previous college department rankings based on the evaluations of others in the field are examined for their weaknesses, and the requirements of an adequate institutional ranking system are discussed. (MSE)

Examines the models through which different academic disciplines approach inquiry. Faculty working in different models view their work differently, apply different evaluative standards, and accept different types of values. Although the discipline is more conspicuous than the model, the latter is equally important in understanding epistemological…

Examines four postmodern forms of thought that are posing fundamental challenges to modern assumptions about knowledge; all reject absolute foundations of knowledge, which are rooted in the notion that legitimate intellectual activity is the discipline-based pursuit of knowledge of entities that exist before and independent of inquiry. Offers a…

Reviews political science literature on changing state politics. A statistical analysis focuses on the relationship between changing legislative structures and higher education for all 50 states. Presents a case study of Pennsylvania that suggests a possible causal relationship between changing political structure and limitation of public…

A study investigated the measurement of organizational decline in 82 universities where objective and perceptual measures of decline appeared to contradict each other. Results suggest institutions with objectively-measured decline without perception of decline are characterized by processes of "decline as crisis," while institutions with…

Comparison of five proposals to change state higher education tuition and aid policies suggests that tuition and aid must be explicitly linked for efficient and equitable results. However, it is extremely difficult to adopt explicitly linked policies. The findings support critics who warn that attempts to adopt high-tuition/high-aid policies will…

A survey of 86 colleges and universities and 60 companies investigated whether industry representatives and academics, both involved and not involved in university-industry relationships, identified three categories of potential conflicts in collaboration (conflicts of interest, commitment, and internal equity). This paper discusses the…

Discussion of doctoral education looks at current trends in demand and supply; previous patterns in the nationality of doctoral degree recipients (1985-94); expansion and contraction in master's and doctoral degrees awarded, by discipline group (1976-93); and structural features of doctoral education (competition, departmental control, student…

The claim that professional accreditation processes provide sufficient comprehensive information to systematically assess undergraduate professional programs is examined and found to be false. Illustrations of the issues are drawn from the case of a large public university. Recommendations are made for improving undergraduate professional program…