Interviewing adolescents through time:

Author(s)
Susanne Vogl, Ulrike Zartler
Abstract

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

Organisation(s)
Department of Sociology, Department of Education, Project: Family Studies in Austria
Journal
Longitudinal and Life Course Studies
Volume
12
Pages
83-97
No. of pages
15
ISSN
1757-9597
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1332/175795920X15986464938219
Publication date
01-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
504007 Empirical social research
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Life-span and Life-course Studies
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/interviewing-adolescents-through-time(ad554c25-39ad-4ce9-bfdf-41b9e80694e3).html