Data Collection

Only the investigator(s) or individuals of the research team can identify the responses of individual subjects. However, the researchers must make every effort to prevent anyone outside of the project from connecting individual subjects with their responses.

Personal identifying information must be kept separate from research data and both sets of data should be stored in an encrypted or locked format.

Anonymity of information collected from research participants means that either the project does not collect identifying information of individual subjects or the project cannot link individual responses with participants’ identities.

Guidelines for Creating Anonymous Digital Surveys

Study codes may be used on data collection instruments in place of identifying information to protect participant responses and data. Also, in the event that a data document is lost, stolen, etc. having the data protected by a study ID will prevent anyone who may view the data from determining the participant's identity. On a separate document or file, type each participant's name along with their unique study ID (ex: 001). Store this document separately from data documents.