This paper discusses the seven types of research tools that have potential for advancing knowledge about student services in California Community Colleges. The seven tools are the following: literature review, data validation, survey research, case study, quasi experiment, meta analysis, and statistical modeling. The report gives reasons why each research tool is important. An appreciation of their individual qualities as well as their complementary uses in various scenarios is instrumental in developing a multi-year plan of research. With the use of a hypothetical example, research in outreach for financial aid, the author demonstrates the nuances of the tools as they fit into a plan for research. The report concludes with these recommendations: (1) documentation and dissemination of research is critical for researchers to link studies with other similar studies; (2) people need to recognize that research will have increased value if we can use it to help program staff in the field which means that program staff needs to have involvement in studies even if the staff may lack the experience and duties of a full time researcher; and (3) it is important to incorporate the concept of cost in the research program. (Contains 22 references and 2 tables.) (MZ)