The research on graduate students that has appeared in 20 academic journals since 1976 is reviewed. Ninety-four articles are classified into topic areas, and representative articles of each area are discussed. The research designs of the 94 research studies are considered with attention to: the level of students (master's or doctoral); whether single or multiple fields of study were examined; and whether single or multiple colleges were studied. Problems associated with research on graduate students are addressed, along with directions for future research. The most popular area of research has been the area of matriculation, which includes recruitment, admissions, decision to pursue advanced study and selection of college/field of study, financial aid, and student characteristics/expectations. Over a fourth of the articles fall into this category. The second most popular area has been the prediction of student performance. Other topics include: attrition and retention; gender differences in matriculation, sexual harassment, and employment; graduate assistants; standardized tests; careers and employment of graduates; minority graduate students; students' stress and anxiety; and the impact of marriage and family on graduate students. An 83-item reference list is included. (SW)