ABSTRACT
The prefaces and introductions by Norman Ellis to the first (1963) and second (1979) editions of the Handbook are in themselves a highly instructive encapsulation of the recent history of behavioral research and theory in the field of mental retardation. The period between those two earlier editions reflected startling growth in the amount of research reported, complexity of design, and, in some respects, increased sophistication of methods. Publication of research articles increased by virtually exponential proportions, no doubt greatly abetted by federal largess.
