This pamphlet describes ways in which parents and others interested in education can effectively evaluate the usefulness of educational research. Almost everything that happens in the schools is related to educational research. Parents and concerned others should appreciate its benefits, but should be aware that: not all research is done well or accurately; most media reports do not give enough information to evaluate an educational research study; and societal attitudes about women and people of color influence how researchers study people and what they find. Research has been used to perpetuate inequality. Although bias may be more subtle today than in the past, it still exists. Bias still has an impact on children, discouraging girls from taking mathematics courses and justifying a lack of emphasis on educational programs for children of color. Myths about research and counseling include: if it is published, it must be accurate; research and researchers are always objective; standardized tests are accurate and objective; and parents and concerned others cannot understand research. In evaluating research, one must consider whether: (1) the researchers' opinions or biases are obvious; (2) different terms are used depending on who is being studied; (3) the study completely describes who is being studied; (4) the tests are fair; (5) results are overgeneralized; (6) similarities and differences are reported; and (7) conclusions have more to do with the researchers' expectations than with research results. Ways of reducing bias in research are summarized. (SLD)