ANALYSIS OF THE CONCERNS SURROUNDING THE RESEARCH RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES

Abstract

The problem of this study was: What practical and theoretical problems attend the research relationship between Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) and Local Education Agencies (LEA)? The major purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent and nature of the problems and issues in the LEA/IHE research relationship from the perspective of respondents from both groups. Four populations were sampled through researcher designed questionnaires--Deans of Colleges of Education (DCE), college faculty (IHE), Directors of Research and Evaluation (DRE), and research staff (LEA) from public schools. Four hypotheses were tested. Null hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested by a one-way ANOVA. Null hypothesis 3 was tested by a two-way ANOVA. Chi-square was the statistic used to test null hypothesis 4. Based on the retention or rejection of the four null hypotheses in this study the following general conclusions were made: (1) This study supports the examined literature that perceptual differences do indeed exist between members of the IHE and LEA in relation to the research relationship between these two institutions. (2) The significant differences in perceptions of the research relationship relate to planning, decision making powers, role definition, finances, value of research, communication and institutional arrangements for conducting research. (3) All respondents feel there is some benefit from research collaboratives between the IHE and the LEA. Several recommendations were made. Some of these were as follows. This study was focused primarily on the perceptual hindrances to collaborative research in the IHE and LEA. There exists a need for more empirical studies which focus on various aspects of the research relationship between the IHE and LEA. There should be a continuing search for other factors which hinder or facilitate successful collaboratives. A compiled body of research relating to this topic should be encouraged so that there will exist several data banks which can systematically be searched. This data-based feedback would be extremely useful to those entering into a collaborative relationship. Studies should be conducted which examine the relationship between the ideal and actual purposes of research in an effort to find ways to bring those purposes closer together.