Purposes of research in higher education, the issue of research paradigms, and the identification of research questions are discussed in this keynote panel paper. Different purposes of research include conceptual and theoretical development, relating theory and practice, and improving practice. Higher education as a field has not yet given much attention explicitly to the role of research in conceptual or theoretical development. Research can help in translating concepts and theory and showing their fit with practice. Most of the published articles in higher education currently place research in some theoretical or conceptual context. If research is directed to improve practice, the focus is real issues and the effort is likely to be organized around functional categories, such as teaching and learning and financial affairs. Different research purposes suggest various research strategies and methods. In considering topics for research, two criteria are important: significance and interest. Seven suggestions for higher education research are offered, including: identifying significant conceptual, issue, and functionally-based research topics; promoting integrative research efforts that combine varied strategies and methods; and initiating more professional discussions and publication activities to examine the applicability of new approaches. (SW)