This report, first in a series of seven, addressed the question, "What events disrupt classroom instruction and what are the most effective techniques teachers use to cope with these distractions?" This report describes the events which occurred in the evolution of the research study. The major sections are: (1) selection of the participants and orientation activities; (2) identification of the research question; (3) development of the research design; (4) data collection activities; (5) intervention sessions; (6) data reduction activities; (7) report writing; and (8) tentative conclusions. Appended are the initial workscope, the preliminary classification system, coping technique classification system, and the final workscope. (JD)