The paper provides insights into the conceptual and methodological groundwork of the European cooperation project TTplus. Firstly the project will produce qualitative research information on the educational and professional position of trainers in six European countries. Secondly the project will develop a framework for professional development of trainers. Therefore, the project has to combine openness for cultural diversity (including different systemic backgrounds) with a focused approach to development of training cultures (with openness for different strategic options). In order to meet these imperatives the a research approach will be proposed on 'twofold operationalisation' (Ritsert, Brunkhorst, Bracher). The paper presents the implications of this approach for the mapping instruments, research design, educational scenarios and 'use cases' that are discussed as key elements of the research approach