The purpose of the LRA Research Committee is to monitor and increase awareness of relevant trends in literacy and related research, as well as the overall status of research in the field and within LRA (e.g. citation rates, funding for literacy research). The committee is also responsible for monitoring opportunities for funded research related to literacy and promoting and facilitating efforts to seek available funding. The committee encourage and promotes the conduct and broad dissemination of ethical literacy research without undo restrictions, commercialization, and conflict of interest, including the dissemination of literacy research online. Finally, the committee serves as a resource to the Board of Directors and to Committees in matters pertaining to literacy research, and consults with the Annual Conference Committee Chair about issues related to research.