This paper is an updated overview of distance education research and a survey of some important trends in the history of this research. It examines first the concept of distance education and the types of data available about students of distance education. Studies that have researched reasons for the choice of distance study are highlighted. Research on student types that best suit distance education is also reviewed. The next section focuses on the thorough research into the two constituent elements of teaching and learning in distance education: the presentation of learning matter in preproduced courses and the communication between the supporting organization (its tutors and/or counselors) and its students. A brief overview of research on the administration of distance education considers various forms of organization. Studies of supervised distance education are addressed as a special application. Other research areas touched upon include course and systems evaluation, theoretical approaches to distance education, the history of distance education research, and methods applicable to research into distance education. (Twenty-six pages of references are appended.) (YLB)