The course is intended for students in the beginning process of formulating their doctoral research. Alternative paradigms to guide the structuring of inquiry into education issues and problems will be considered. Students are expected to develop a paper that: * identifies a specific problem (or issue) worthy of further investigation; * describes the significance of the problem within historical and contemporary contexts; * reports what is known and what remains unknown about the problem and related issues through a formal review of the literature; * Develops a formal conceptual framework of the problem based on the review of the literature; and * specifies research questions and/or hypotheses to be investigated to add to our understanding of the problem. Concern with research design and methods is only incidental to the primary focus of problem conceptualization. Permission of the student's advisor is required to participate in the course; and, students should consult with their advisors at key developmental points and keep their advisors informed of progress being made.