Which of the following constitutes both a breach of a confidentiality (the research data have been disclosed, counter to the agreement between researcher and subjects) and a violation of subjects’ privacy (the right of the individuals to be protected against intrusion into their personal lives or affairs)?
A. A researcher, who is a guest, audio-records conversations at a series of private dinner parties to assess gender roles, without informing participants.
B. In order to eliminate the effect of observation on behavior, a researcher attends a support group and records interactions without informing the attendees.
C. A researcher asks cocaine users to provide names and contact information of other cocaine users who might qualify for a study.
D. A faculty member makes identifiable data about sexual behavior available to graduate students, although the subjects were assured that the data would be de-identified.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. A faculty member makes identifiable data about sexual behavior available to graduate students, although the subjects were assured that the data would be de-identified.
Explanation:
This situation involves both a breach of confidentiality and a violation of privacy for the following reasons:
- Breach of Confidentiality: Confidentiality refers to the agreement between researchers and subjects regarding the handling of sensitive information. In this case, the researcher (faculty member) promised that the data would be de-identified, meaning that any personal or identifiable information would be removed or kept separate to protect the anonymity of the subjects. By providing identifiable data to graduate students, the faculty member violates this agreement, breaching the confidentiality of the subjects’ information.
- Violation of Privacy: Privacy is the right of individuals to have control over their personal information and to be protected from unwanted intrusion into their private lives. In this case, the research subjects were assured that their data would remain de-identified, meaning they would not have to worry about their personal information being disclosed or accessed by unauthorized individuals. By making the identifiable data available to other people (graduate students), the faculty member infringes on the subjects’ privacy rights, as their personal and sensitive information is being exposed without their consent.
In research, confidentiality and privacy are fundamental ethical principles, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like sexual behavior. Ensuring that data is kept confidential and that subjects’ privacy is respected is essential to maintaining trust between researchers and participants.
Let’s review why the other options do not meet both criteria:
- A: While this involves an ethical violation (recording without consent), it is primarily a violation of privacy (intrusion into personal conversations) rather than a breach of confidentiality (since no specific data is shared or exposed outside the dinner parties).
- B: This is an ethical violation regarding informed consent but does not necessarily involve a breach of confidentiality or privacy in the strict sense, as no personal data is shared outside the group.
- C: This involves an ethical issue with asking for contact information, but it does not breach confidentiality or privacy unless the data shared with others is identifiable or improperly disclosed, which is not stated here.