The improvement of instructional methods or the solutions of problems of an instructional nature requires information that is not usually part of the Canadian common experience and must be discovered by means of research. Types of fundamental and applied research are discussed, including action, developmental, evaluation, and diagnostic research. The disciplines on which postsecondary educational research has relied are discussed, followed by descriptions of the following methodologies: descriptive, case and field studies; correlational designs; causal-comparative research or modus operandi designs; experimental research; and quasi-experimental designs. Areas of impact (student learning, instruction, and institution) and types of improvement (optimizing, facilitative, and remedial/quality control) are also discussed. It is concluded that the development of expertise in postsecondary instruction will require university support to motivate professors to improve their instruction; educational researchers to help them do it; funding to aid in the research; and a network to link researchers and research. Contains 33 references. (KM)