http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Attitudes toward professionalism among adult educators
The objective of this study was to provide insight into the attitudes adult educators have toward their occupation. Specifically, this study examined adult educators' beliefs on the five dimensions comprising the attitudinal portion of the professional model developed by sociologists. Two research questions were examined. The first dealt with the extent of professional attitudes of members within the Adult Education Association (AEA). The second question assessed possible relationships between the attitudes and respondent background data. The methodology used in this study was a survey of AEA members. The survey instrument consisted of Richard H. Hall's Professionalism Scale and a background data sheet. Hall's scale is used extensively by researchers to determine strengths of professional beliefs among occupational incumbents. The survey data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences computer program. One-way analysis of variance and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to assess possible relationships (p<.05) significance level used). Other survey information were presented in descriptive statistical terms. Pour major conclusions were drawn from this study. The first is that AEA members hold moderately strong professional attitudes toward adult education. They believe most strongly in autonomy in job performance and self-regulation for the adult educator group. The second conclusion is that AEA members, regardless of diverse backgrounds, share similar views that show support for growing professionalization of their field. Older, more experienced adult educators held stronger beliefs in some areas and participators in professional activities held some beliefs more strongly than others but basically adult educators share common beliefs associated with the concept of a profession. The third conclusion is that AEA must diversify its membership if it is to represent and be a reference group for adult educators. Based on this study sample, the majority of AEA members work in college and university settings...
"Major subject: Adult and Extension Education."
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-69).