This report provides information on potential research approaches to answering key questions about career pathways strategies that we identified as most relevant to the workforce development field and that also are less likely to be fully addressed by current ongoing research. It outlines a range of design options informed by completed and ongoing studies. These options also reflect the current state of implementation of career pathways program- and system-level initiatives, as well as respond to the U.S. Department of Labor's interest in improving employment and earnings outcomes for youth and adults.