A two-phase empirical investigation identified, categorized, and prioritized research needs in vocational special education for the next 10 years. Phase 1 involved 18 university personnel in a three-round Delphi technique that generated 91 future research objectives. Research statements collected from Round 1 questionnaires were used to construct nine major categories. Descriptive statistics (mean, interquartile range, median) were used to analyze second- and third-round responses in terms of future research. A high degree of consensus was achieved on 57 percent of the research statements. In Phase 2, a questionnaire containing 30 research statements identified as having highest need for future research activity were distributed to a national sample of 450 special needs professionals. A 52.9 percent response rate found a high level of perceived need for research areas listed. An exploratory factor analysis using a principal components procedure with varimax rotation generated eight major dimensions. These categories were refined through a qualitative analysis of additional research problems generated by respondents. The final research framework included professional training and development, quality measures of student outcomes, transition and delivery systems, program evaluation, relevance to vocational preparation, support systems and ancillary services, personal and sociological issues, and policy issues. (Appendixes include 17 references, participant list, and questionnaires.) (YLB)