A national survey was conducted among members of the National Middle School Association during September, 1980 to determine the areas and extent of interest they had toward research needs among early adolescents. Data in this article focus on the learner characteristics and behaviors. Strong concern for research was indicated for 16 of the 25 topics listed in the questionnaire with the greatest concern being in the area of early adolescent motivation and interest in school (97.1 percent of the responses). Concerns also center around early adolescent attitudes toward authority and their involvement in expressive, contemporary behaviors.
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