Issues in the design of research to describe educational practice are examined, and arguments for and against particular methodologies are summarized. A single study is used for illustrative purposes; it explores the relationship between English taught as a second language in school and English language needs in the workplace. The study uses both ethnographic and quantitative research techniques. The report first outlines the variables in the study. A discussion of procedures describes the need analysis, sampling, establishment of a systematic classroom observation schedule, audio recording of classroom interaction, interviews with teachers and students, and examination of teacher records. Rationales for these and additional procedures are then explained. The subsequent section describes construction of the classroom observation instrument and the method for merging quantitative observational data with data drawn from the audio recording. The conducting of interviews is then discussed, including interview types, interviewer attributes, questions, problems, and administrative issues. A 45-item bibliography is included. (MSE)