what specific research can be found pertaining to walking and weight loss.

Sorry you got no answer. Some people agree walking and hiking take off
some weight, if you can avoid increasing your high calorie food
intake. Very long distances can be effective, but have health risks,
but so do all other methods of loosing weight.
 Moderation, and pesistance over several months is best rather than
trying for quick weight loss. Suppliment walking with other excersize
and increaseed consumption of fresh raw fruit and vegetables. Drink
about 1/2 glass of water (instead of other beverages) per hour when
convenient, but more than ten glasses of licquid per day is harmful to
a few people.   Neil

try the library:  Exercise physiology, fifth edition, sub title: 
energy, nutrition and human perfromance.  Basically, the energy you
use is a function of your weight and the distance moved.  I use 100
kcal per mile as a general rule of thumb.  Five miles per day for
seven day equals 3500 kcal or 1 pound per week.  This will not be 100
per cent accurate.  Walking/running up an incline (or on a tredmill)
will use more energy.
Also, if you want to burn fat, you have got to get your heart rate up
and use more oxygen (but not to the point of brethlessness).