Outcomes and applications of Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) study groups composed of teachers and administrators to investigate a single educational issue and develop a product of use to practitioners are described in this report. Contents include an introduction of the study group as a professional development tool, a discussion of the variety of applied research and research synthesis strategies, a review of educational topics explored by the study groups, a report of effective means of disseminating educator-produced publications, a description of AEL's quality control and evaluation measures, and an outline of future applications. The appendix (the bulk of the document) contains study group materials and worksheets. (4 references) (LMI)