This article explores the process of problem framing in research, and considers the ethics of the framing in the context of the author's dual role as a researcher and educator seeking to engender learning amongst partnership stakeholders. In doing so, the author attends to issues of agency in partnership research by providing the situational context of her research and work in the community. She also includes excerpts from her research journal. These excerpts describe incidents that raised questions for her about the subtle nuances of research, agency, and common understanding in a community-university partnership. (Contains 3 endnotes.)