The author of this paper contends that, since the inception of the Family Privacy Act of 1974, basic educational research has become stifled by the law, and by the policies and procedures enforced by public schools. He defines basic research as that which attempts to discover the underlying principles governing fact or truth in learning or human behavior. Local educators and politicians often opt for field investigation studies to assist them in decision-making. The result is less sympathy for the generation of funds to support basic educational research. The paper suggests collaboration between school-based and university-based researchers as a partial solution to the problem. Additional suggestions are for more emphasis on research in educational administration training programs and for interpretation of the results of research to local and state education agencies. Other topics discussed in this paper include the cost of conducting research and the establishment of a research review committee. (Author/LD)