Interviewing adolescents through time: balancing continuity and flexibility in a qualitative longitudinal study

Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has great potential for elucidating processes and change over time. Despite the growing interest in QLR, methodological practical challenges require further reflection. In this contribution, we reflect on two major issues interviewing adolescents QLR: panel maintenance changes set-up, including technique, content interviewer (dis)continuity. Based experiences from a study understanding how young people’s opportunities life are shaped during transitional stage (‘Pathways to Future’), present pragmatic decisions, rationales lessons learnt inform future qualitative studies. We show is omnipresent QLR practice, it demands researchers’ openness flexibility as well finding balance between continuity adaption. The process can be challenging, but also offers opportunities.