What does confidentiality in research entail?

Confidentiality in research involves several key principles focused on protecting the privacy of participants and ensuring that their identities remain undisclosed in relation to their data. The chosen answer accurately reflects that the researcher can link responses to individual participants, but is committed to maintaining the privacy of those individuals. This means that while the data collected may be analyzed in connection with the identity of the participants, any identifying information will not be shared or made public, safeguarding the confidentiality of the participants’ responses.

This aspect is crucial in research ethics, as it builds trust between researchers and participants, encouraging honest participation without fear of personal repercussions or exposure. Establishing confidentiality ensures that sensitive information remains protected, and participants feel secure knowing their identities will not be disclosed.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the nuances of confidentiality. For example, stating that the researcher cannot identify participants outright misrepresents participant data management in many research designs where identifiers are used for analysis but are kept confidential. Additionally, the idea that no information can be released publicly is too absolute, as some aggregated or de-identified data may be shared in published results, provided that no individuals can be recognized. Lastly, misinforming participants about study details contradicts ethical research practices related to informed consent, which