This document looks at the research that has been conducted on the student development concept and considers its nature, effectiveness, and deficiencies. Research in student development is defined as research that attempts to ascertain if a particular theory-based student development intervention or treatment resulted in the theorized effect or result. Also included is research that attempts to test or validate student development theory and research that deals with peripheral student development issues such as instrument design and validation; descriptions of conditions or programs; and philosophical ruminations about student development. A review of the research literature on the efficacy of student development interventions is summarized and its conclusions are discussed: that the amount of formal research on student development over a 14-year period (ending in 1987) was disappointing; that studies generally lacked control or comparison groups; and that evidence appeared to endorse the probability of a student development effect. The next section of the paper looks at research conducted since 1987. This more recent research conducted from 1987 through 1990 is then compared to research conducted from 1977 through 1980 and a set of 11 observations and recommendations is offered. (NB)