This is a publication of a project supported by the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Scientific Cooperation Research Program, often referred to as USDA/FAS/SCRP. It provides practical information considered important to conduct on-farm livestock research. However, a significant portion of this publication also is pertinent to livestock research regardless of where it is conducted. The publication does not cover any specific topics in great detail, but rather is meant to serve as a ’bridge’ connecting different areas for the concerted effort required in effective livestock research. There is considerable attention directed to experimental design and statistical analysis.