Vol. 58 No. 01 (2008)

The manuscripts in Volume 58, Issue 1 (2008) of the Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research (JSAER) examine the foundations of the discipline through research synthesis and gap analysis, while advancing practical knowledge in teacher preparation, curriculum integration, and Extension technology adoption.

Research Synthesis and Disciplinary Direction

• Research Themes, Authors, and Methodologies in the Journal of Agricultural Education: A mixed-methods content analysis of 323 articles published in the Journal of Agricultural Education from 1997 to 2006 identifies 39 primary and 37 secondary research theme areas, finds that quantitative survey methods dominate the field at 80.5% and 45.5% respectively, identifies James Dyer as the most prolific author, and recommends that researchers diversify their methodological approaches and use these findings comparatively against the National Research Agenda to guide future inquiry.
• Research Themes in Agricultural Education: Gap Analysis of the National Research Agenda: A companion mixed-methods content analysis of premier agricultural education journals over the same ten-year period identifies 49 primary and 49 secondary research theme areas, finds that food, agriculture, natural resources, health, and family topics are the most frequently researched, and concludes that no research gaps exist in the current National Research Agenda — recommending that the profession use these findings to adjust future priority areas and pursue more futuristic, forward-looking inquiry.

Teacher Preparation and Curriculum

• Structured Communication in Student Teacher–Cooperating Teacher Relationships: A quasi-experimental study of 81 agricultural science student teachers finds that implementing structured communication between student teachers and cooperating teachers significantly influences student teachers' perceptions of their relationships, with student teacher age and academic standing also affecting perceptions, recommending continued research on how communication structures during field experiences contribute to the decision to enter the profession.
• Preparation to Teach Agricultural Mechanics: A qualitative study of successful agricultural science and technology teachers finds unanimous agreement that undergraduate coursework did not adequately prepare them to teach agricultural mechanics, identifying three-week certification workshops and formal mentoring programs as essential compensating mechanisms, and recommending expanded scope, depth, and technical skills content in preservice programs along with more quality state-level inservice workshops.
• Math-Enhanced Curriculum in Agricultural Power and Technology: A year-long experimental study across 32 Oklahoma high school classrooms finds that students in a contextualized, mathematics-enhanced agricultural power and technology curriculum paired with intensive teacher professional development demonstrated practically significant gains in mathematics achievement compared to control groups, recommending that professional development providers introduce the seven-element contextualized approach to teachers and teacher educators.
• Mathematics Integration by Outstanding Virginia Agricultural Educators: A quantitative study of 26 expert-identified outstanding Virginia agricultural educators finds that reported levels of mathematics integration into individual agricultural courses range from 0 to 75%, providing baseline data and recommending continued study as integration efforts increase across the profession.

Extension Technology and Innovation Adoption

• eXtension Adoption and Perceived Barriers Among Texas Extension Agents: A quantitative study of Texas Cooperative Extension county agents examining perceptions of the newly launched eXtension online platform finds low negative relationships between perceived relative advantage and time concerns, and between compatibility and planning issues, with financial concerns negatively related to multiple adoption characteristics, recommending that Extension planners directly address financial and planning barriers to accelerate adoption of the innovation.