Taking adult education as a commodity and students as consumers, Jarvis examines the questions a consumer might ask of education: Why should I buy it? Do I need it? Do I want it? Can I afford it? Is it worth it? (SK)

The author examines the source and effect of differing valuations of types of knowledge on the adult education curriculum. He explores ideas and developments in the sociology of the curriculum and the relationship between knowledge and the curriculum in general, with application to adult education curricula. (MF)

The author argues against the assumption that models of educational research that appear "scientific" must be correct. To illustrate this, he points out that teaching and learning in adult education are obviously related activites, yet, because of adherence to the "scientific," they are rarely related to each other in research. (CH)

Discusses philosophical and theoretical aims of preretirement education and outlines steps in a comprehensive approach to curriculum development and course design for this form of recurrent education. (SK)

The elderly are a significant proportion of the population of the United Kingdom and have as much right to learn as any other age group. Therefore, their needs and interests must be understood in order that an appropriate response may be made. This research highlights some of their needs. (SSH)