A researcher leaves a research file in her car while she attends a concert and her car is stolen. The file contains charts of aggregated numerical data from a research study with human subjects, but no other documents. The consent form said that no identifying information would be retained, and the researcher adhered to that component. Which of the following statements best characterizes what occurred?
A. Confidentiality of the data has been breached
B. There was both a violation of privacy and a breach of confidentiality.
C. The subjects’ privacy has been violated.
D. There was neither a violation of privacy nor a breach of confidentiality
The correct answer is:
D. There was neither a violation of privacy nor a breach of confidentiality.
Since the file only contained aggregated numerical data without any identifying information and the researcher adhered to the consent form’s conditions, there was no breach of confidentiality or violation of privacy. The data could not be linked back to individual participants.