Adding to the discussion by both Tom and Ron, I can cite some examples of research efforts I conducted which, at least to my mind, were sought but then not necessarily acted upon.
(1) Like Ron, I devoted considerable effort towards writing a dissertation related to faculty development initiatives and the use of the AECT Standards for College and University Learning Resources Programs, now an 1989 document for sale (still?) by AECT. For the unknowing, AECT is our American technology in education professional organization, the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, similar in intent to ASET in Australia. Having chaired that AECT Task Force for more than a decade, I knew that the Standards were sought after and our ultimate intent was to get them assimilated into our American accreditation processes for our colleges and universities. We found, however, a lack of impetus to get the Standards into our accreditation process and so, the work of a dedicated group stays mainly on the shelves and seldom used as they could have been: as a means to provide postsecondary administrators some clout in providing a rationale for why college and university media centers should not only exist, but flourish. By the way, these same standards are now badly in need of revision but I don't really have the energy to take on such a task. (Hey, I'm almost 62 so I can include such a disclaimer but surely there are some young lions out there who can take up the torch!)
(2) Since 1989 I have been conducting computer-based testing of Continental Airlines pilots relative to measurement of performance over long duration transoceanic night flight. Again, our results were sent to the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, as well as to NASA, and numerous other agencies. The results indicated, with some degree of consistency, that, using the Essex Corporation's Delta test battery, we could track fatigue levels and do so with amazing accuracy. Once more, however, although there was an expressed need, the results languish on someone's shelf. We also devised an exercise regimen and a portable device to assist pilots in combating fatigue.
Here are two instances wherein research was based on expressed need but the results were basically put aside. I have hope that both projects will be rejuvenated and implemented but, research is, at best, based upon who sees a need for it and as well, has the clout to take action on it.
If we, in the IT field, look to only a few of the issues of social significance which are available to us, we collectively can impact millions.
Why, for example, do young people (as well as some not so young) persist in NOT using condoms or taking other precautions in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary that such practices may inhibit the spread of AIDS? Can not some of our instructional designers work with the Center for Disease Control or World Health Organization to make some significant inroads into combating this agonizing disease? Think of the creativity we might bring to pairing what we know about message design (Fleming and Levie, Marsh, et al.) so that we might construct really meaningful messages which work (apologies to the late Patrick Marsh for using his book title!).
If juvenile crime is such a problem, as it has been continually in Florida, and parenting skills are so much in demand, can not we combine forces to create, once more, viable messages which work?