Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The purpose of this study was to determine which fields of education were thought by teachers to need research and development.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions This study is divided into two main parts. The first deals with six main topics of educational research - teaching methods, curriculum, grouping children, assessment and examination; psychological/sociological research, and teachers and training. Under each leading sub-division, areas of possible research are described, respondents being asked to indicate desired priority, with provision for entry of topics not listed. A final section determines an overall priority. The second part is designed to give an idea of the nature and extent of the 'communication gap' between researchers and practising teachers. Knowledge of current research is assessed through familiarity with list of research workers, institutions and publications. Readership of a given list of scholarly publications containing results of research work gives a further indication of the extent of this familiarity. Teachers' involvement in curriculum development and in educational research is determined, and opinion is sought on the most effective means of disseminating the results of research and development. Background Variables Sex, marital status, number of dependents, age when entered teaching, years' experience, pupils taught at present, main teaching subject (if secondary teacher), grading of teaching post for salary purposes and professional data (i.e. whether graduate, graduate with certificate, non-graduate with certificate or unqualified).

Stratified by size and type of school, age taught (primary) and subject taught (secondary)