Abstract
This article addresses three questions: What is research? What contribution has research made to special education? Why should I read research? Research is a process in which one asks questions, seeks answers to those questions in such a way that someone else could easily follow the same procedures, and shares the answers. The purpose of all research is to describe and to understand; special education research shares that purpose. Examples of research contributions to special education from medicine, psychology, and sociology are presented. Unique characteristics and contributions of special education research include the range of research methods used, the role of testing, the degree to which principles from parent disciplines are validated, and the reciprocal relationship that exists between researchers in special education and those in other disciplines. The purpose of reading research and supporting research endeavors is to accumulate knowledge as a basis for improving practice.
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