You’re invited to attend the 22nd Annual Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, and Community Education and to submit proposals to present a 45-minute concurrent session or a 10-minute table-top session. The scope of the conference includes, but is not limited to, the many intersections in our theme of Adult Education and Work, Family, and Community. The conference solicits papers in four categories: practitioner concerns, reports on research, evaluation studies, and methods and issues in research.

Midwest conference brochure and registration form.

Practitioner Concerns
Questions and concerns regarding practitioners’ work in adult, continuing, extension, and community education programs. Proposals may address problems and/or solutions in areas of practice such as curriculum design, strategy selection, teaching and learning, or program implementation. They may also address how practitioners view research related to their concerns.

Proposals should include:
• A description or outline of the concerns or questions.
• The importance of the concerns to both research and practice in adult, continuing, extension, and community education.
• Reference to various approaches that have attempted to deal with the concerns.
• A discussion of the way in which the concerns or questions relate to the conference theme of linking theory and practice.
• A brief description of how the session will be organized and how the presentation will address these concerns.

Criteria for selection
Proposals will be judged on the basis of overall clarity and specific responses to the items indicated above. Selection will be made on the basis of the following:
• Practitioner concerns are clearly described or delineated.
• The importance of the concerns is highlighted within one or more contexts of practice in adult, continuing, extension, and community education.
• The proposal clearly specifies new or expanded insights to be presented with regard to practitioner concerns.
• Linkages of research and theory to practice are addressed in the proposal.
• The proposed session is organized and presented in a creative and dynamic format.

Reports on Research
Reports on research and their implications for practice (from either qualitative or quantitative studies).

Proposals should include:
• The research questions or hypotheses.
• The importance of the research to the practice of adult, continuing, extension, and community education.
• The methodology.
• Stage of the research at the time of the proposal; if not completed, the expected completion date.
• A summary of the findings/conclusions.
• Implications of applications of the findings to practice or theory.
• A brief description of how the session/presentation will be organized.

Criteria for selection
Proposals will be judged on the basis of overall clarity and specific responses to the items indicated above. Selection for conference presentation will be made on the basis of the following:
• The linkage of research to practice is clearly addressed.
• The research question has clearly defined a specific area of inquiry.
• The research exhibits rigorous standards of inquiry suitable to the study.
• Contributions to knowledge and practice are evident.
• The researchers’ methods and insights demonstrate creativity.

Methods and Issues in Research
Controversial and critical questions vital to linking research and practice, such as in research methods, ethics, the use of research in practice, practice-generated needs for research, and processes by which researchers determine the areas in which to conduct research.

Proposals should include:
• A description of the issue or summary of the points at issue.
• The importance of the issue to research and practice in adult, continuing, extension, and community education.
• An explanation of models, illustrations of new insights or challenges on the issue to be offered by the presenters.
• A discussion of the way in which the issue relates to the conference theme of linking theory and practice.
• A brief description of how the presentation will address the issue; that is, how the session will be organized and presented.

Criteria for selection
Proposals will be judged on the basis of overall clarity and specific responses to the items indicated above. Selection will be made on the basis of the following:
• The research issues are clearly described or delineated.
• The importance of the concerns is highlighted within one or more contexts of practice in adult, continuing, extension, and community education.
• The proposal specifies new or expanded insights to be presented with regard to the research issues.
• Linkages of research and theory to practice are addressed in the proposal.
• The proposed session is organized and presented in a creative and dynamic format.

Guidelines for Proposals
Published papers or presentations given at earlier professional meetings are not to be submitted. All proposals will be submitted to blind peer review. Deadline for proposals is April 1, 2003.

1. Submit one copy of a cover page that includes the title of the paper; the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of all authors; and the following warrant statement: "I (we) warrant that if this paper is accepted, I (we) will submit a camera-ready six page (single-spaced typed) paper for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings. I (we) understand that if this paper is not received by Aug. 1, 2003, this paper will not be included as part of the Proceedings."

2. Submit five printed copies of the proposal, not to exceed three pages (double-spaced type) along with a diskette with the original proposal in either Word (version 6.0 or higher) or Word Perfect (Windows 95 or more recent). Type only the title, proper category (A-D), and session preference (45-minute concurrent or 10-minute table-top) at the top of the first page. Do not type the authors’ names on these pages.

3. Make sure the typing or printing is clear and dark; use a laser-quality printer. Observe standard margins (1" on sides and bottom and 1.5" on top of page). Use 12-point Times or Times Roman font if possible.

4. Proposals for papers with the warrant cover sheet must be postmarked by April 1, 2003. Fax copies will not be accepted. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for notification of receipt of your proposal and send the proposals and self-addressed envelope to:

Chan Lee, Program Chair
The Ohio State University
College of Education
287B Arps Hall
1945 North High St.
Columbus, OH 43210-1120

Notifications and instructions for preparation of papers will be sent to presenters May 31, 2003. If your paper is accepted, please plan to register promptly. Final papers will be accepted only from those who have at least one author registered for the conference. Papers without registrations will not be placed on the conference program.