In preparation for a major research study on change in schools, a 3-month pilot study of principals in 10 schools was conducted in central Texas. The main purpose of the study was to investigate different ways to document the actions taken by the principals to facilitate implementation of innovations in their schools. In this paper, the procedures and methodology of the pilot study are described, followed by analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the five data collection procedures tested: (1) a written log maintained weekly by the principal; (2) a weekly report submitted via audio tape; (3) weekly reports over the telephone; (4) a monthly face-to-face "game plan" interview; (5) a face-to-face Stages of Concern interview. Results of the pilot study led to the conclusion that a combination of logging and interviewing procedures might be used in the major study. An ideal technique, resulting from the research, is described, and other implications of the pilot study for the collection and analysis of qualitative data are discussed. An appendix provides an overview of the major study and its procedures. (TE)