DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.27138.1 ISSN: 2398-502X

Recruiting and retaining adolescents in qualitative longitudinal research: Reflections from three years of the Born in Bradford Age of Wonder study

Kate Lightfoot, Jamie Crowther, Rosslyn Kerr, Sufyan Dogra
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Recruitment and retention are fundamental to the success of qualitative longitudinal research, yet the practical challenges involved are often under-reported in the methodological literature. This paper presents a reflexive account of three years of recruitment and early retention activities within the qualitative longitudinal workstream of the Born in Bradford Age of Wonder study, a seven-year study following adolescents from early adolescence into young adulthood. Drawing on iterative reflections developed through recruitment, data collection, and engagement activities, we examine the opportunities, challenges, and adaptations associated with recruiting a diverse cohort of young people in a multi-ethnic and socioeconomically deprived UK city. We reflect on key issues relating to communication with participants and parents, perceived eligibility for participation, trust-building with individuals and communities, consent processes, and recognising young people’s contributions. We also consider how these experiences informed emerging approaches to participant retention. Our reflections highlight the value of cluster recruitment through trusted community intermediaries, flexible communication strategies, creative and participatory activities, and sustained relationship-building. They also reveal tensions between ethical requirements and inclusive participation, particularly regarding parental consent and the use of written consent procedures. We argue that recruitment to qualitative longitudinal research should be understood as an ongoing, relational, and adaptive process rather than a discrete methodological task. By sharing practical lessons learned from the first three years of this cohort, we aim to support researchers undertaking qualitative longitudinal research with adolescents and other populations requiring sustained engagement.

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