The impact of federal legislation upon educational research and evaluation is explored in detail within a political systems framework. Specific laws have affected the financial support, organization, and function of research and development services. These laws include: the Cooperative Research Act (1954); the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965) which authorized the Educational Research and Development Centers and the Regional Educational Laboratories; and the Education Amendment of 1972 which created the National Institute of Education. The influence of federal legislation on individual rights has also been considerable; specifically the Civil Rights Act (1964); the Freedom of Information Act (1966); the National Research Act (1974); and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (1974). The following implications should be recognized before the full notion of impact can be understood. (1) The relationship between federal legislation and educational research is essentially political, application of the political systems theory is appropriate. (2) A public relations campaign is needed to offset misconceptions about educational research. (3) Federal impact is considerable and partly uncontrollable. (4) The entire field needs a balanced, continuous, and integrated federal legislative approach which recognizes the dangers of polarization between researchers and practitioners, and between researchers and subjects. (CP)