The conference proceedings reported in this publication represent the deliberations, problems, and prospects associated with adult education as a field of academic inquiry. The following papers or summaries are included: "Adult Education Research: Issues and Directions" (Deshler, Hagan); "Comparative Perspectives for Research about Societal Influences on Adult Education" (Knox); "Emerging Perspectives in Adult Education Research: Feminist Perspectives" (Hugo); "Needed Research: Social Policy Research in the Field of Adult Education" (Quigley); "Needed Research in Adult Education: A Multicultural Perspective" (Ross); "The Therapeutic Learning Program: A New Computer Technology for Counselors" (Mezirow); "Danger Signals: Trouble Brewing for Graduate Programs in Adult Education" (Kreitlow); "Building a Network of Scholars in Adult Education History: The Electronic Connection" (graphics from presentation by Gadbow, Vertrees); "Faculty Development Task Force 1988" (Caffarella, Briscoe); "Career Development and Adult Education: A Critical Relationship" (Otte); "The Preparation of Human Resource Developers: A Comparative Analysis of Three Case Studies" (Niemi); "HRD Potpourri--Performance Technology and Adult Education as Partnership" (Dixon, Beaudin); "Innovative Approaches to Curriculum Design: Adult Learning and Development and Instructional Strategies for Adult Learners at the University of Texas at Austin" (Watkins); "Emancipatory Research on Adult Children of Alcoholics in the Workplace" (Watkins, Rogers); "Sharing International Research Conferences" (McIntosh); "Minutes of Task Force Business Meeting 1988" (McIntosh); "Reflections on the 1988 Kellogg Researcher's Meeting at Leeds" (Quigley); "Adult Education Dissertations: A Look at Present Practices and Perceptions" (LeGrand, Wood); "Research on Self-Direction in Learning: An Examination of the Methodolatry Controversy" (Guglielmino); "Where We Are and Where We Go from Here" (Hiemstra); "Comments on 'Expanding Methodologies for Studying Self-Direction in Learning'" (Brockett); "Biography and History in the Study of Adult Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "Qualitative Research on Self-Directed Learning" (Caffarella); "A Meta-Analytic Study of Adult Self-Direction in Learning" (McCune, Garcia); and "A Study of the Teaching Strategies Used To Promote Self-Directed Learning among Graduate Students in Adult Education" (Sisco). The "1988 Annual Report of Doctorates Conferred in Adult Education" (Griffith) concludes the proceedings. (MN)