Characteristics of Adult Education Research Reported At the Adult Education Research Conference, 1971-1980

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Abstract
The investigator analyzed the abstracts of all research papers and classified them according to predetermined criteria following the work of Long and Agyekum. Findings indicate that 355 papers were presented by 347 different individuals including faculty from 83 post-secondary education institutions in the U.S.A. and 13 Canadian Colleges and Universities. Some 65 individuals made two or more presentations during the period. Nine different types of research papers were presented; 55 percent of the papers were based on descriptive research procedures. Four different kinds of descriptive research data collection procedures were identified and analyzed. Ten kinds of content were reported; 28% of the papers reported on research that focused on program areas and 24% of the papers were concerned with program planning and administration. The categories of program areas, program planning and administration and adult education as a field of study accounted for 68% of the papers, by content. Representatives from seven higher education institutions accounted for 127 papers. Four of these institutions are from the U.S.A. and three are from Canada. The University of Wisconsin at Madison is the leading institution according to number of papers and individuals. Other analyses and conclusions are reported.