The Development of Educational Sociology is Reflected in its English-Language Textbooks Published from 1912 to 1970.

The research objective was to examine the development and diffusion of a field of knowledge related to education as reflected in textbooks published in the United States, England and Canada. Using a scheme derived from invention-diffusion theory, over 150 textbooks in educational sociology (including sociology of education and social foundations of education) were analyzed. Findings reveal increasing output and participation, shifts in emphases, changing perspectives, broadening scope, and some international diffusion. The study contributes to a definition of the field, discloses disciplinary needs, and demonstrates a close relationship between educational sociology and societal preoccupations. (A five page bibliography of references and a twelve page bibliography of textbooks are appended.) (Author/SBE)