Research on adult basic skills in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the English-speaking world was reviewed. The review focused on the following aspects of adult basic skills education: the scale of need and impact of poor basic skills; learner characteristics; motivation, attendance, dropping out, and progression; provision and programs; tutors and professional development; teaching; assessment and accreditation; impact studies; other benefits of adult basic skills instruction; factors associated with progress; costs and benefits; and gaps in existing knowledge. The extent and key findings of research in each area were reviewed, and recommendations for improving research in the given area were presented. The most-researched areas of adult basic skills were literacy, numeracy, English for speakers of other languages, information and computer technology, and oracy. Areas that needed more research included the factors associated with learner progress in basic skills programs; the impact of English for speakers of other languages and use of information and computer technology in adult basic skills; and program costs and benefits. The search methodology used for the review is appended along with a list of 44 World Wide Web addresses and the names/addresses of individuals/organizations contacted during the review. (Contains 20 tables and 150 references.) (MN)