Research and evaluation needs to carefully designed and implemented if it is to yield valuable and usable findings for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. This book provides a comprehensive knowledge base and a set of key tools for conducting research and evaluation in a range of community settings.

Designed for researchers and practitioners at all stages of their careers as well as policy makers, this volume uses in-depth case studies and draws on international literature to support and contextualise the practical guidance for conducting real-world research outlined in each chapter. It covers all stages of the research process, from the developing of funding to dissemination of findings, and considers key points in the process from the perspective of funders, researchers, research participants, and policy makers. Presenting a diverse range of methodological approaches, it is structured around three key themes: framing research; designing and implementing research; and analysing and utilising research.

A collaborative effort by researchers and commissioners of research, the authors collected here are experienced in commissioning, conducting, and disseminating high quality research with children, families and communities. It is suitable for all those who need to either understand or carry out research across community, health and social care settings.