This collection of four symposium papers explores research and data problems in big-city schools. The papers are "Data Accessibility: Policies and Organizational Strictures in Big-City Schools" by W.G. Monahan (ED 019 749), "Some Data Problems in Systems Research" by M.C. Alkin and W.L. Duff, Jr. (ED 021 324), "Towards Adequate Educational and Socio-Cultural Data for Continuous Educational Planning in Large School Districts" by D.J. Leu, and "Impact of Research Findings and Recommendations in Urban School Districts: A Case Analysis" by C.R. Steinhoff and R.G. Owens. Monahan describes difficulties occurring when researchers with their own goals intervene in a system which has defensive as well as information acquisition goals, and provides a theoretical framework for solving such problems. Alkin and Duff discuss problems they have encountered in systems research such as specifying output measures, data incompatibility, and missing data. Leu places the data problem in the context of planning and asserts that we do not prepare administrators for this key activity. Even when data become available, using them for planning remains central. Steinhoff and Owens provide a case study of a cooperative university and school system effort at data collection and utilization, identifying problems and proposing duties for the participants. (TT)