Issues from the field of learning disabilities and the field of education in general which impact the learning disabled (LD) are discussed as they relate to research with LD adolescents and young adults. Based on the knowledge of the context in which the LD adolescent is required to function, a process research model that allows a commitment to programmatic research leading to the validation of interventions as well as the generation and investigation of new research questions is presented. Critical questions within the three research areas of the Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities - epidemiology, intervention, and generalization - are discussed as they relate to the research model. (Author)