How can a researcher minimise causing harm when conducting interviews with particularly vulnerable children in longitudinal research?

Using original data, this article explores the ethical issues that arose during a school ‘life histories’ study of ‘lower-attaining’ 23 primary pupils in England, from age seven until they were aged 12 and attending secondary school. These children viewed as being particularly vulnerable, not only due to their but also designated English maths by teachers, alongside fact participating longitudinal study. The research involved 230 interviews, class observations filming. This seeks answer question: ‘How can researcher minimise causing harm whilst conducting interviews with vulnerable children’? Formerly, fear has at times led ethics review boards be overly cautious about empirical research. Yet conversely caution denied these participatory rights opportunity contribute expanding our knowledge children. considers before data collection especially relation dealing sensitively ‘lower-attaining’. It safeguarding distress occurring an interview. significance is its honest deconstruction issues, including team's responses them. Several practical recommendations are made aid researchers help when among