A study explored the research agenda of "Public Relations Review," the oldest scholarly journal in the public relations field. To provide a descriptive and inferential analysis of the content of the journal from 1985 to 1994, four volumes were selected at random (1985, 1987, 1991, and 1993) and all the articles in them were analyzed. Each article was coded for content, research design, sample size utilized (for quantitative research), theoretical framework, and any reference to the pedagogical implications of the study or its findings. In all, 96 articles were coded. Results showed that 85 of the articles were written by academics; ten by practicing professionals; and one by a student. The most common topic (16.7%) had to do with the development of theories applicable or even unique to public relations. The next most frequent categories of topics had to do with ethics and social responsibility (10%), general practitioner skills and techniques (10%), and public relations history (10%). The most frequent research theme was introspective (41%), followed by applied (38%). Only 19% were coded as basic research. These findings corroborate J. V. Pavlik's contention (1987) that public relations research emphasizes the practical at the expense of the theoretical. The latter is more common in mature scientific disciplines. (Contains 5 tables of research results and 12 references.) (TB)