Semi-structured interview data from current and former Young Lives staff who were invited to share their knowledge and experience as a contribution to the collective Young Lives methodological learning and lessons. The objective of this work was to help build a community of practice around policy-focused longitudinal observational research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim was 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 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.

The methodological learning and lessons will be based on a combination of existing information and new interview data. Approximately 30 semi-structured interviews have been generated with current and former Young Lives staff to elicit their knowledge and experiences. Informed consent from respondents included audio recording of interviews. In selected cases, consent also included permission to record an interview on video, for uploading onto the Young Lives YouTube channel, or to include audio extracts of interviews in online communications. In these cases, respondents were given the right to review their interviews prior to dissemination. In cases where interviews are broadcast on the web, via social media, etc., permission was also sought to reveal the interviewee's name and role in Young Lives.