Making Research Work demonstrates how research can be fostered andapplied more effectively to child care policy and practice. Drawingon a wealth of experience, current literature and governmentdocuments, the contributors present a comprehensive discussion ofkey contemporary issues relating to child care research.Recommendations are given for recognising and responding to boththe fundamental and the specialist issues that challenge thevarious stages of the research process. Practical guidelines aregiven for
* undertaking single-case design research

* appraising current child care literature and officialstatistics

* accessing hidden or hard-to-reach populations
* dissemination

* establishing a research centre

* preparing a research proposal to submit to a funding body

* commissioning and funding research
This book s practical approach and unique focus will appeal topractitioners, researchers, policy makers and students seeking tounderstand and enhance the relationship of research to policy andpractice in the child care context.