This paper summarizes the results of an analysis of literature on color use in screen design. Fundamental problems with the information base are identified as follows: (1) advise becomes obsolete as newer equipment becomes available; (2) the nature of the task used in the research is not sufficiently similar to tasks performed during teaching and learning; (3) generalizations are either apocryphal in origin or based on empirical results from different display media and transferred to video display terminals automatically; and (4) distinctions are not made with respect to intended uses of the screen display. Instructional designers must ascertain the currency of the equipment used before accepting research generalizations as guides; researchers and authors of literature reviews should indicate which generalizations might no longer be valid. A careful task analysis is necessary in order to maintain a high degree of similarity between the research tasks and actual teaching and learning strategies. Differences in display medium and textual presentation should be noted. There is a need for research on color use in the screen design for instruction. Three tables provide a classification of articles according to information type, tasks used in research, and a summary of empirical research studies is provided in three tables. (Contains 65 references.) (Author/AEF)