The first two papers in this collection introduce both the Research and Development Exchange (RDx) itself and the subsequent contracted papers in this and a companion volume. The first paper discusses the general problems toward which the RDx effort is directed, understandings and assumptions affecting the design of the work, principles guiding the work, goals and objectives, and current activities. The contracted papers were expected to address such questions as the following: What do experiment and the diffusion of innovation literature teach participants in the RDx system? What strategy should be developed for implementing the RDx system? What are the interorganizational conflicts, barriers, and opportunities that are likely to affect system development? How can research products best be transformed into products that are usable to clients, practitioners, administrators, and policy-makers? What models of linkage and research utilization should be employed in this system? What do literature and practice in the areas of marketing have to offer to RDx participants? What methods of monitoring and evaluation should be built into the development of this system? Each of the papers to some extent addresses the themes of educational research, the regional context, interorganizational relations and management, and staging and phasing. (Author/IRT)