This paper addresses issues important to maintaining a volunteer effort in research and evaluation studies. The Research Department of Child and Family Services, a private agency in Connecticut, conducted a statewide study of children and youth in long-term foster care. Eighty-seven volunteers, mainly from the Junior League, were recruited to interview foster parents in 450 foster families. The volunteers were given two and one-half hours of training, and each volunteer was to complete ten interviews over a six-month period. Fourteen percent did not complete any interviews and only 21 percent of the group trained completed ten interviews. Volunteers completed brief, written questionnaires before and after the interviewing to determine their attitudes toward foster care and changes in their perceptions. The interviewing was perceived as a positive experience by the volunteers. The use of volunteers in this research was successful because of the volunteers' motivation, their interest in the topic, strong monitoring techniques, positive relationship between staff and volunteers, and staff flexibility. In assessing whether volunteers are a viable resource for a research project, the following issues need to be considered: recruitment, attrition, training, and monitoring of the volunteers; and the flexibility of the research staff. (JAZ)