ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the key aspects and phases involved in conducting research in community settings with children, families and other key stakeholders. It considers some of the challenges evident when designing research in community, health and social care settings. The chapter addresses sequential order the challenges facing the researcher when designing a study in community settings. When reviewing the elements of the development of a research design in a complex real-world setting, several key lessons have emerged. Starting a research project in community settings can involve different points of entry. The researcher is identifying the key question from a request for tender document, expression of interest or similar document. The research team must reflect on their own orientation and, more practically, the expertise they have access to. The context and the parties involved is central to the researchers' successful engagement during the design process.
