In order to determine the effectiveness of a Research and Instructional Unit (R & I Unit) in promoting increased use of research data and methodology in curricular decisionmaking at the classroom level, the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development, in cooperation with Tamalpais Union High School District, conducted a pilot study with a group of secondary school social studies teachers. The study was conducted in two stages. During the preoperational stage, participants were chosen and given preliminary training through field visits and workshops. During the operational stage, Laboratory consultants assisted R & I Unit members in planning and conducting a needs assessment study, a problem formulation study, and field tests of several instructional innovations, and in drawing up a tentative prospectus for the 1969-1970 academic year. Findings indicate the R & I Unit did offer an organizational climate which facilitated the use of research and development information for instructional improvement. Further testing is required, however, to determine the optimum amount of released time required, the optimum type of research and development training required by an R & I Unit team, and the cost-effectiveness of the R & I Unit structure in comparison with alternative arrangements. (Forty-seven pages of tables and charts are appended.) (RT)