Research

Although the value of research has long since been acknowledged in the child life profession, limited resources exist that prescribe concrete steps for child life leaders to take which promote research in daily work efforts. Whether working on research part-time or full-time, it is important that child life specialists take on research activities as part of their job responsibilities. With options to work fully remote or to have boots on the ground, the impact of a child life research specialist reaches patients and families; professionals and students; the academic, psychosocial, and biomedical scholarly communities; and beyond. Throughout this chapter, readers will obtain justification and inspiration for the proposal of this unique position into their own programs. Further, this chapter will offer concrete tools and suggestions for implementing this role successfully.