This volume contains one paper defining the initial operating parameters of the Research and Development Exchange (RDx) and four of a series of papers contracted for the program. The overview paper touches on a variety of topics of continuing concern: the general problems toward which the RDx effort is directed, understandings affecting the design of the work, specific problems being addressed by the RDx goals and objectives, principles guiding the work, and examples of current activities. The first of the contracted papers presents a marketing approach to developing and disseminating educational products. The second paper argues that maximum impact and utility of the RDx effort can be achieved only if there is a balance between the needs and interests of potential clients on one hand and the services provided by RDx on the other. The third paper discusses knowledge production and utilization models, concentrating on understanding how they are affected by who creates them and what assumptions are made, and discusses RDx from the standpoint of the most comprehensive models. It also makes recommendations based on this analysis. The last contract paper discusses interorganization relations problems in the design and implementation of the RDx program. (Author/IRT)