Research Trends in Staff Development and Inservice Education

Abstract

In view of the importance for the reform and renewal of schools of the improvement and development of teachers and other educational personnel, this paper was prepared to review the status of recent research on staff development and inservice education (INSET) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Two specific objectives were to be attained as a result of this review. First, the nature of existing recent studies was examined through a description of prevailing research methodologies and significant findings. Second, a research agenda for the future was suggested, based on gaps that were found in recent studies. In total, more than 500 studies conducted between 1977 and 1984 were included. Among the specific suggestions that were made regarding future studies were that research should be based on what is already known about the nature of adult learning and effective inservice, that existing theory bases should be explored to determine appropriate conceptualizations that might be further explored, and that the purposes or goals of inservice education and staff development should be clarified to assist in the conduct of future research.