Young Lives has published many technical reports and papers explaining the study’s research design and methodology. This report complements these publications by drawing on the experiences and insights of Young Lives staff, past and present, to reflect on the data challenges and opportunities encountered during the research, the strategies used to address these challenges and the lessons learnt.

This report is part of a programme of methodological and operational learning funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) that seeks to strengthen capacity and effectiveness in longitudinal research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and contribute to a growing community of practice in this field. The report aims to inform the work of researchers and data and programme managers who are either planning or engaged in longitudinal cohort or panel studies across LMICs. It is the first of four companion pieces, each of which focuses on a critical area of methodological reflection. The three remaining reports, and other outputs, cover: research ethics; research leadership, governance and impact; and research design and methodology.