ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to describe in some detail the approach to formative evaluation used in the Northern Ireland study. This is presented within a framework of questions, components and findings, which it is suggested, could provide a departure point for the urgent task of developing an agreed approach to family support research. The chapter includes discussion of key evaluation questions, selection of settings, techniques for data collection, and policy evaluation criteria for analysis. It ends by listing a series of key issues which anyone involved in researching family support needs to take into account.
