3.+Confidentiality+through+the+right+to+privacy

Cottrell and McKenzie (2011) explain the importance of confidentiality in a research study. Certain studies require the researcher to identify the participants within the study while other studies allow for anonymity. While writing a research proposal, the researcher should determine whether his/her study will require the collection of data from the same group of people more t han once, for test-retest reliability. Another possibility is that the researcher will need to follow up with the participants after an intervention (p.110). Both these situations require confidentiality because there is a link between personal information and the research participant's identity, however, the information is protected from others. If the researcher determines that he/she needs to identify the participants than certain measure need to be taken to protect and hide the information provided. The Belmont Report and HIPAA ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the participants and "failure to implement the standards can lead to civil and criminal penalties " (p.111). Therefore, when writing a research proposal the researcher should have a plan on how he/she will safeguard entrusted information. If the researcher does not feel that he/she is able to secure the information than the proposal should make the study anonymous, so that the information cannot be linked to the participant who provided it. The researcher should also gauge whether the participants would want to disclose certain information with fear of being identified, especially when the topic is related to sexuality.