Participant evaluation research is described as a combination of three recent trends: action research conducted by teachers in their own classrooms, social action programs involving parent and community participation, and subjective epistemology which includes perceptions and contextual information within the accepted database. The planning phase of a specific participant evaluation research project is described, in which the distinctive characteristic was the involvement of parents, teachers, and professional evaluation specialists in planning and in decision making. This study was intended to investigate the relationship between educational productivity and home environment, classroom learning environment, and quantity and quality of instruction. Initial planning sessions were held separately with parents in one group and teachers in another. Afterwards, parents and teachers worked together. Various motivational and communications problems arose and are discussed as are a list of cautions concerning problems that are likely to occur in participant evaluation research projects. (CTM)