This document contains four symposium papers on linking human resource development (HRD) theory and practice. "Partnership Research: Ensuring More Useful HRD Collaborations" (Ronald L. Jacobs), which proceeds from the premise that most HRD research has limited impact on practice because research problems are usually generated devoid of a practice context, presents a process for conducting partnership research and examines five issues in conducing partnership research. "A Discussion of the Methodological Appropriateness of Research Represented in the AHRD (Academy of Human Resource Development) Proceedings--A Strategic Perspective for Journey Management" (Christopher R. Hardy) is a meta-study intended to provoke thought and debate regarding the strategic needs and future of HRD. In "Theory in 'Theory to Practice': Voices of Practitioners" (Wendy E.A. Ruona), a descriptive qualitative approach is used to describe and examine the experience of HRD practitioners in applying theory to practice. "The Status of HRD Research Literature in 1997" (Judith A. Hixon, Timothy R. McClernon) demonstrates that the overall rate of publication of HRD articles in journals from a broad cross-section of related fields has increased and measurable shifts have occurred in the types of studies being conducted and methodologies being used. (MN)