Methodological Learning and Lessons from Young Lives

The objective of the proposed work is to help build a community of practice around policy-focused longitudinal observational research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim is to strengthen capacity and effectiveness in the conduct of such research among GCRF delivery partners, and other researchers running large-scale international development studies in LMICs through an innovative programme of methodological and operational reflection and learning amplified through an integrated communications strategy. The programme will draw primarily on the experience and expertise of staff and former staff of the Young Lives study but will also benefit from the knowledge of Young Lives collaborators, advisory committee members and other researchers and research managers. The work will focus on two critical areas: research design and research governance and impact. Two further themes are proposed for a second year: data management and ethics. It will explore the opportunities, challenges and lessons learned from Young Lives research over more than 15 years, highlighting the justification for key decisions, as well as the mistakes made and solutions devised along the way. It will complement existing Young Lives methodological outputs and be driven by questions, themes and topics that are critical for effective delivery of international development research in LMICs. (See Case for Support)

This research proposal presents a timely opportunity to ensure lessons from our research-to-action model further shape longitudinal research programmes in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and policy programmes to help deliver these goals.

Through this proposal, in the short term we will build the capacity and understanding of specialist audiences (GCRF delivery partners, principle investigators/researchers involved in longitudinal studies and other large research programmes focussed on international development in LMICs, research and programme managers, UK Research Innovation and international funders). In the medium term, this will facilitate robust, impactful, longitudinal research targeting LMICs and better understanding among policy stakeholders of the role of longitudinal data. In the long term this will contribute to Young Lives' goal of securing policies and programmes that support poor children and young people based on rigorous evidence about children's experiences, development and outcomes.

Through the proposed activities we will seek to achieve change in three ways; capacity development (building capacity among key stakeholders to use evidence in planning and implementing policies, programmes and advocacy campaigns and building capacity among researchers in mixed-methods longitudinal research, and research ethics), conceptual (shaping policy debates and discourse, increasing awareness of issues affecting and options for children) and instrumental (using evidence to influence law reform and the design of policies, programmes and advocacy campaigns).

We will contribute to an active community of practitioners engaged in longitudinal research with greater ability to reflect critically on how to deliver international development research in LMIC's. We will strengthen the capacity among researchers, including GCRF delivery partners running large scale international development studies in LMIC's, to deliver and policymakers to use child focussed longitudinal research and evaluations.
We will use Young Lives' track record of engaging with stakeholders through partnerships and networks to build links with other projects, search for upcoming opportunities and amplify impact. Young Lives has fostered long-term relationships with a range of key stakeholders, including the World Bank, ADB, DFID, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD, national ministries and their local counterparts, plus IGOs (e.g. UNICEF) and INGOs (e.g. Save the Children, Oxfam, Plan International).

To maximise impact we will convene an Advisory Board to ensure that the outputs of the project meet demand from our targeted audience to ensure maximum impact, relevance and impact of findings.

(See Case for Support and Pathways to Impact)