Action research, a term first used in the 1940's by Kurt Lewin, implies the application of tools and methods of social science to immediate, practical problems, with the goals of contributing to theory and knowledge in the field of education and improving practice in the schools. Collaborative action research suggests that each group represented in the process shares in the planning, implementation, and analysis of the research; and that each contributes different expertise and a unique perspective to the process. Problems in conducting collaborative action research include initiating a collaborative project between school and university; addressing the concerns of all participants; and participating in the processes of collaboration which occur between the project's inception and the production of its results. The Action Research on Change in Schools project proposes to examine the relationships among teachers' developmental stages, action research in schools, and individual teacher change. (BW)