A collaborative approach to educational research was used by an elementary school principal and a university researcher. The principal's daily activities were studied, as was the relationship of the roles she performed to instructional leadership. Data were collected mainly from participant observation and field notes. The principal performed six roles: personal confidante; procurator; problem solver; building organizer; monitor; and district liason. The managerial role affected instruction and curriculum indirectly through school climate. The project was successful because both participants considered themselves as equal co-investigators and agreed on objectives, data collection methods, and who performed the research. Both individuals also possessed the necessary skills to accomplish the project. As for the collaborative method, four concerns were discovered: (1) confidentiality of interviewees and observers when both researchers share data; (2) reactivity-bias in actions based on awareness of the research; (3) differing roles and responsibilities; and (4) participants isolation when the research is completed. (GDC)