More than 4,000 titles were scrutinized (600 of which are cited) in preparing this report of research in liberal, nonvocational adult education at an early stage in the development of a new discipline within the total universe of education. Wide differences were noted in the amount and quality of research in the various disciplines of the field and in the applicability to them of research and theory derived from the social science disciplines. The following aspects of adult education were examined--adult learning, motivation to learn, attitudes, adult interests, participants, organization and administration, programs and program planning, methods and techniques, use of discussion, lay and professional leaders and leadership, group research, the community and its institutions, and problems of evaluation research. (sg)