Most cited papers in Adult and Continuing Education Topics
What are the most cited papers in Adult and Continuing Education Topics?
The most cited paper in Adult and Continuing Education Topics is "A Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education" (Jack Mezirow, 1981), with 2,203 citations. Next come "Cultural Ways of Learning: Individual Traits or Repertoires of Practice" (2,165) and "Experiential Learning Theory: Previous Research and New Directions" (2,164).
Showing 50 of 100 papers. Every paper with more than 284 citations is listed.
| # | Paper | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education Jack Mezirow · Adult Education | Sep 1981 | 2,203 |
| 2 | Cultural Ways of Learning: Individual Traits or Repertoires of Practice Kris D. Gutiérrez, Barbara Rogoff · Educational Researcher | Jun 2003 | 2,165 |
| 3 | Experiential Learning Theory: Previous Research and New Directions David Alan Kolb, Richard Eleftherios Boyatzis, Charalampos Mainemelis | 8 Apr 2014 | 2,164 |
| 4 | Transformative Learning as Discourse Jack Mezirow · Journal of Transformative Education | 2003 | 1,685 |
| 5 | Andragogy and Self‐Directed Learning: Pillars of Adult Learning Theory Sharan B. Merriam · New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education | Mar 2001 | 1,415 |
| 6 | Entrepreneurship Education: Known Worlds and New Frontiers Heidi M. Neck, Patricia Gene Greene · Journal of Small Business Management | 29 Dec 2010 | 1,404 |
| 7 | Informal and Incidental Learning Victoria J. Marsick, Karen E. Watkins · New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education | Mar 2001 | 1,196 |
| 8 | Agency and learning in the lifecourse: Towards an ecological perspective Gert Biesta, Michael Tedder · Studies in the Education of Adults | Sep 2007 | 1,187 |
| 9 | An update of transformative learning theory: a critical review of the empirical research (1999–2005) Edward W. Taylor · International Journal of Lifelong Education | Mar 2007 | 1,021 |
| 10 | Teaching Learners To Be Self-Directed Gerald Grow · Adult Education Quarterly | Sep 1991 | 983 |
| 11 | On Critical Reflection Jack Mezirow · Adult Education Quarterly | May 1998 | 976 |
| 12 | Understanding Transformation Theory Jack Mezirow · Adult Education Quarterly | Dec 1994 | 975 |
| 13 | Transformative learning theory Edward W. Taylor · New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education | Sep 2008 | 944 |
| 14 | Experiential learning – a systematic review and revision of Kolb’s model Thomas Howard Morris · Interactive Learning Environments | 24 Jan 2019 | 942 |
| 15 | Achieving transformative sustainability learning: engaging head, hands and heart Yona Sipos, Bryce Thomas Battisti, Kurt A. Grimm · International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education | 11 Jan 2008 | 927 |
| 16 | Reflective Learning Evelyn M. Boyd, Ann W. Fales · Journal of Humanistic Psychology | Apr 1983 | 907 |
| 17 | Contemporary Paradigms of Learning Jack Mezirow · Adult Education Quarterly | May 1996 | 898 |
| 18 | Learning as Transformation: Critical Perspectives on a Theory in Progress. Susan Sisola · Journal of Physical Therapy Education | 2004 | 887 |
| 19 | Heutagogy and lifelong learning: A review of heutagogical practice and self-determined learning Lisa Marie Blaschke · The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning | 31 Jan 2012 | 883 |
| 20 | Life history and narrative J. Amos Hatch, Richard Wisniewski · International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education | 1995 | 846 |
| 21 | Applying educational theory in practice Dora Kaufman · BMJ | 23 Jan 2003 | 841 |
| 22 | The Evolution of John Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory Andrew D. Kitchenham · Journal of Transformative Education | Apr 2008 | 827 |
| 23 | Learning by doing – An exploration of experience, critical incidents and reflection in entrepreneurial learning Jason Cope, Gerald F. Watts · International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research | Jun 2000 | 816 |
| 24 | Transformative Leadership: Working for Equity in Diverse Contexts Carolyn Muriel Shields · Educational Administration Quarterly | 17 Sep 2010 | 808 |
| 25 | Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit Jennifer Brant · Brock Education Journal | 9 Oct 2014 | 803 |
| 26 | Andragogy in Action: Applying Modern Principles of Adult Learning Allen Tough · The Journal of Higher Education | Nov 1985 | 761 |
| 27 | Adults as Learners: Increasing Participation and Facilitating Learning Carol B. Aslanian · The Journal of Higher Education | Sep 1983 | 754 |
| 28 | Becoming Critical: education, knowledge and action research André Coelho da Silva · Educar em Revista | Sep 2017 | 731 |
| 29 | Reflection: a review of the literature Sue Atkins, Kathy L. Murphy · Journal of Advanced Nursing | Aug 1993 | 712 |
| 30 | Representation, Legitimation, and Autoethnography: An Autoethnographic Writing Story Nicholas L. Holt · International Journal of Qualitative Methods | Mar 2003 | 705 |
| 31 | Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Toward SEL in Service of Educational Equity and Excellence Robert J. Jagers, Deborah Rivas‐Drake, Brittney V. Williams · Educational Psychologist | 3 Jul 2019 | 700 |
| 32 | Leadership for Social Justice and Equity: Weaving a Transformative Framework and Pedagogy Kathleen M. Brown · Educational Administration Quarterly | Feb 2004 | 677 |
| 33 | The concept of experiential learning and John Dewey's theory of reflective thought and action Reijo Miettinen · International Journal of Lifelong Education | 2000 | 654 |
| 34 | Transformative, transgressive social learning: rethinking higher education pedagogy in times of systemic global dysfunction Heila Lotz‐Sisitka, Arjen E. J. Wals, David O. Kronlid et al. · Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability | 11 Sep 2015 | 640 |
| 35 | Autoethnography: Understanding Qualitative Research Tony E. Adams, Stacy Holman Jones, Carolyn Ellis | 2015 | 629 |
| 36 | Effective instructional leadership Joseph J. Blase, Jo Blase · Journal of Educational Administration | May 2000 | 618 |
| 37 | Critical frames in educational research: Feminist and post‐structural perspectives Patti A. Lather · Theory Into Practice | Mar 1992 | 610 |
| 38 | Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide for Educators of Adults Marilyn E. Laiken · Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education | Sep 1995 | 585 |
| 39 | Learning from experience through reflection Marilyn W. Daudelin · Organizational Dynamics | Dec 1996 | 574 |
| 40 | Transformational Teaching: Theoretical Underpinnings, Basic Principles, and Core Methods George M. Slavich, Philip G. Zimbardo · Educational Psychology Review | 22 Jul 2012 | 557 |
| 41 | Rethinking Education as the Practice of Freedom: Paulo Freire and the Promise of Critical Pedagogy Henry Armand Giroux · Policy Futures in Education | 2010 | 533 |
| 42 | Reflection in Higher Education: A Concept Analysis Russell R. Rogers · Innovative Higher Education | Sep 2001 | 503 |
| 43 | The Theory and Practice of Transformative Learning: A Critical Review Tom Nesbit · Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education | 1999 | 482 |
| 44 | Adult Learning Theories in Context: A Quick Guide for Healthcare Professional Educators Banan Mukhalalati, Andrea J Taylor · Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development | 2019 | 467 |
| 45 | The Power of Feelings: Emotion, Imagination, and the Construction of Meaning in Adult Learning John M. Dirkx · New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education | Mar 2001 | 467 |
| 46 | Expanding Conceptions of Experiential Learning: A Review of the Five Contemporary Perspectives on Cognition Tara Fenwick · Adult Education Quarterly | Aug 2000 | 453 |
| 47 | Exploring the Icebergs of Adult Learning: Findings of the First Canadian Survey of Informal Learning Practices D. W. Livingstone · Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education | Nov 1999 | 448 |
| 48 | The Role of Cognitive Development in Mezirow’s Transformational Learning Theory Sharan B. Merriam · Adult Education Quarterly | 25 Sep 2004 | 448 |
| 49 | Reflection and Critical Reflection in Management Learning Michael Reynolds · Management Learning | Jun 1998 | 442 |
| 50 | Developing critically reflective practice Neil Thompson, Jan Pascal · Reflective Practice | 22 Feb 2012 | 437 |
Citations are OpenAlex's own counts, from its 2026-09-23 snapshot, so the ranking can differ from Google Scholar or Web of Science. A paper is listed for a field when OpenAlex files it under one of the field's topics; retracted papers and papers whose citation count cannot be traced to citing works are left out, and a preprint and the article it became are shown once. Release dates are OpenAlex's: where a source gave only a month or a year, that is what is shown. How the lists are chosen.