A synthesis of Polish research and research methodology (1965-75) re: leisure time and rural youth reveals methodological differences and research results with implications for the future of rural youth. In the order of their popularity, the major Polish research methods are: inquiry; the memorialist approach; a combination of inquiry and free statement; monographic research; and synthesis. Major methodological disparities involve standardization of definitions re: activities; age differentials; educational and socio-occupational groups. While most Polish researchers recognize the barriers to leisure time participation as incorporating psycho-social, cultural, temporal, spatial, and financial factors, they do not treat these factors equally. Despite the lack of standardized research procedures, research results on leisure time and rural youth indicate the following general trends: (1) the higher the educational level of rural youth, the greater the leisure aspiration; (2) cultural barriers are more persistent than spatial barriers; (3) cultural interest is most frequently expressed via TV and movie leisure time activities; (4) while accepted as a growing rural value, leisure is by no means universal due to poor and unevenly distributed facilities; (5) youth best capable of utilizing leisure are the better educated with non-agricultural jobs and the socio-politically oriented young farmers who are members of the Rural Youth Union. (JC)