This fourth edition of a review and synthesis of agricultural education research concentrates on the period from 1978 to 1984. The review covers research published in papers and bulletins, compilations of abstracts, proceedings of regional and national agricultural education research meetings, material in the ERIC database, masters' theses, and doctoral dissertations. Criteria for selection include the extent to which findings are generalizable, saliency of the research, and importance of the research question to agricultural education trends and issues. The document covers these aspects of agricultural education: (1) vocational-technical agricultural programs, encompassing curriculum and instruction, student organizations, supervised occupational experience, summer programs, and student recruitment, retention, placement, and followup; (2) personnel preparation, including teacher education programs, methods, and organizations; (3) instructional materials and technology, focusing on microcomputer applications; (4) professionalism, discussing master teachers, morale and satisfaction, and teacher retention; (5) relationships with publics, including public perceptions and program promotion; (6) international agricultural education; and (7) extension education. A summary section highlights areas for future research and the need for a national research agenda. An extensive bibliography of the cited studies concludes the document. (SK)