Two key events lead to the prominence of links among Roy's grand theory, derived middle-range theories and the design of research. The author in this column describes this work in two formats. Essential details of two areas of research are presented in episodic form-the first is work on secondary analysis of Roy model-based research over 40 years and the author's study of persons' cognitive recovery from mild head injury. The second is a project on re-conceptualizing coping and adaptation processing in sequential detail within the context of work in the field and the significance of on-going work for nursing practice.