[AAACE-NLA] ABE research

[gdemetrion@msn.com]

There are already a profusion of studies, many of them "evidenced-based."

I would suggest that we take a good look at what has already been published
over the last 30 years, and from that base, then decide what else we need
to know.

To assume that the adult literacy/ABE field lacks research, is in my view, an
arrogant assumption that what has already been examined lacks merit.
That additional and more refined research is needed goes without saying.
That would be the case for any field.  Let's not draw from that quite
reasonable conclusion that no research currently exists because it may
not pass an arbitrary methodological litmus test which defines science
in some very narrow categories.  The need is to carefully examine what  
we do know, or may know, then to identify some basic questions or problem  
areas that require additional work.

One question that may be worth additional analysis is the definition of
literacy and its relation to the progressive mastery of reading.
Another may be some excellent longitudinal studies and mid- and long-term
impact of participating in adult literacy programs.

In research, methodology plays a role, but that should not be
translated into a quest for some methodological purity which turns into  
a fetish of certain approaches over others as having inherent value.
I'm particularly troubled about the so-called methodological
gold-standard as if validity in research is methodologically determined  
rather than decided upon by the nature of (and quality and importance) the
research question, then the drawing upon whatever methodologies best
facilitate the progressive resolution of the problem.

George Demetrion
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