Independent Study (IND) programs are increasingly favored as part of the generally favorable attitude toward student autonomy. On the basis of experimental evidence, the unhesitating acceptance of IND does not appear to be completely justified. Some research studies found IND superior to traditional methods in terms of learning efficacy; others found IND inferior on those terms. Others concluded there was no difference. The implications of the research are thus inconclusive. In order to get more meaningful results from research studies, more complex questions must be asked, such as: "In what ways is IND superior, for what kinds of students, with what kinds of training, studying what subjects, with what degree of faculty interaction?" (AF)