A study on administrative problem solving is introduced in this paper, which summarizes the theoretical and methodological bases of the study and outlines the research design and data collection process. Three research areas are explored: (1) the relationship between problem solving and decision making; (2) types of administrative problems; and (3) differences between educational administrators and nonexpert administrators in problem solving. The primary purpose was the identification and comparison of differences in problem-solving practices between novice and expert elementary school principals. The sampling process identified four experience groupings: aspirants, rookie, seasoned, and veteran. Thirty-two principals and 10 educational administration students from 6 public school systems in London, Ontario,participated in the study, which involved interviews, small group discussion, questionnaires, and individual problem-solving exercises. Findings are presented in consecutive papers. Two tables provide participants' experience profiles and the data collection schedule. (34 references) (LMI)