Introduction: What Challenges Are Policy and Practice Facing?

Within this chapter an overview of the global epidemiology and local challenges are presented. To address these the chapter provides guidance on how to clarify a problem and define the key question, its related aims, and objectives. This is with a series of steps involving stakeholder engagement. Stakeholders can be identified as co-creators, collaborators, those who are consulted and finally those who are informed. The roles and levels of stakeholder engagement are presented depending upon their level of interest in the question and their level of influence over the challenge or question being addressed. The role of power dynamics is also discussed. Six practical steps for the development of a key question addressing the challenge are also provided. One of which recommends reviewing the literature to identify if the topic has been addressed previously or where gaps may need to be filled. A summary of literature review types, their related details and speed of completion is also provided. The importance of good research practice and how to ensure this across all stages of your study is also provided. The chapter concludes with a practical example of a case study where good research practice is followed.