The opinions of distance educators and practitioners around the world were surveyed regarding availability of research information, areas in which research efforts should be concentrated, and priority to be given to these research areas. The sample was randomly selected from registered members of the International Council for Distance Education. The questionnaire collected biographical information and opinions on the three areas of interest and required respondents to rank difficulties in research in distance education. Of 102 returned questionnaires, 89 from 23 countries were accepted for data processing. Results indicated that distance experts believed the following: (1) the level of information from research was inadequate; (2) more research was required in all areas of distance education; and (3) priority should be given to the areas of evaluation and systems for the provision of feedback to students. Experts felt that funding and time allocation were the two greatest difficulties encountered in research. Differences were apparent between experts from developed and developing countries with respect to their responses, especially with their ranking of the difficulties faced in research. The comparison of results on the basis of the independent variables of gender, present position at work, area of specialization, highest qualification, etc., did not yield any significant differences when submitted to analysis of variance. (Appendixes include 14 references and 4 data tables.) (YLB)