Misapplication or premature application of research results is a major problem in policy-related research due to the heated atmosphere of advocacy which surrounds programs whose futures depend on political activity. Research seldom provides firm and fast answers to important questions; however, many researchers and policymakers fail to understand this characteristic of research. Also, researchers who collaborate with agencies or administrators in research efforts are sometimes criticized for supporting the status quo. This criticism is often valid to some extent; however, the alternative is one of denying policymakers the feedback on which they can base change. Facilitating change and evaluating the consequences of change are two objectives indispensable to social science researchers. Social scientists collaborating with criminal justice agencies should emphasize careful selection of programs or practices on which to do research, collaboration with decisionmakers that includes a responsibility to present complete and objective feedback about policies, continuing evaluation and feedback about the consequences of program or policy changes that engage a wide variety of stakeholders in policy discussions, recognition of the value-laden nature of research, and advance agreement on collaborative research rules. Footnotes and 22 references are included. (Author abstract modified)