The first comprehensive studies to identify the adult educator's role can be traced back to Hallenbeck's work in 1948. Two works on this same topic, both published in 1978, stand out with regard to their techniques and thoroughness. The first of these is Bunning and Rossman's survey of adult educators to determine a core of common skills and knowledge that would be needed by adult educators of the future, and the second was Pinto and Walker's sampling of the membership of the American Society of Training and Development to identify the critical activities performed by trainers in their day-to-day role. In 1982, a study performed by Daniel and Rose supplemented the data base provided by Bunning and Rossman by providing practitioner (continuing education administrator) perspectives. This body of research revealed that trainers perform activities in four functional areas: management and coordination, programming, human resource development delivery, and career development. Training and development curricula should therefore include training in research/statistics, media development/production, and counseling/career development. Ideally, a graduate program to prepare trainers should incorporate adult education, business/management, and counseling. (MN)