Research universities versus teaching universities ‐ public perceptions and preferences

Claims post‐secondary institutions are facing two major problems ‐ enrolment declines and increases in operating costs. Suggests that, as the turmoil in higher education has accelerated, the research university seems to have lost public support, while the teaching university has been placed in a more favourable light. Reports on a pilot study of the public’s preferences for, and perceptions of, the research‐oriented and teaching‐oriented universities. Asks whether one or the other is more favoured by the US public. Presents the perceptions and preferences from 100 personal interviews, utilizing a psychological projective technique to gather the information.