Through the process of compiling and analyzing data for our recent Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) accreditation review and ultimate self-study report, we engaged in a collaborative action research project. Presented through the lens of a case study, we identify various reasons researchers may opt for such an approach, from seeking to understand practice to studying the accreditation process itself. The compilation of the case study allows us to share various discoveries about the nature of the research as well as ways to enhance the culture of evidence. Specifically, we discuss the recursive process of collaborative action research and the need for flexibility with the research plan. Additionally, we identify multiple key lessons to support continuous self-assessment on a program level which will enable a more streamlined CAEP self-study report.