Education Research and Writing

At this juncture in the development and documentation of distance education as an emerging worldwide phenomenon, new contributions to the corpus of research-oriented literature are critical. While intended to provide validated data for additions to the literature in the field, research has important other benefits: it can be useful in setting agendas and focusing issues for practitioners; in generating action strategies through informed discussions; and in providing bases for greater common understanding among individuals and organizations engaged in distance education activities. Finally, after a long legacy of distance education practice, we are just now beginning to formulate a coherent definition that distinguishes it as a distinct field of educational practice; to recognize that it is a necessary component of state and national educational delivery systems; that it is a normal means of providing access to education for working adults; and that it is a legitimate field of academic inquiry. Despite noticeable gaps, the literature on distance education grows at an encouraging pace. The new Jossey-Bass book, Distance Education: The Foundations of Effective Practice (Verduin and Clark 19 91, 241- 2 6 7), lists twenty-six pages of reference works, most on some aspect of distance education. Still, our imagination in researchin