The essay examines the variety of research methods and measures used in the first-year experience and students-in-transition field over the past 25 years. Interrogating the extant research, Kinzie explores whether the methods and analytic processes most commonly employed are adequate to advance our understanding of complex issues in the field. The author concludes with four recommendations for broadening understanding of the conditions that contribute to student learning and success: (a) adopting more varied and sophisticated research methods; (b) identifying more refined outcomes, especially outcomes focused on student learning; (c) expanding the populations of interest and selecting relevant methods and measures for examining their unique experiences; and (d) designing studies that help us understand more about the characteristics and structures of proven educational initiatives that contribute to positive student outcomes.