A Case Study about Anonymization and Secondary Use of Qualitative Data

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A Case Study about Anonymization and Secondary Use of Qualitative Data

What is this about?

This case study describes how secondary qualitative data can be used and how the data can be anonymized. One issue arising from anonymisation of qualitative data is losing important contextual information. Ethical, practical and theoretical questions emerge when delving into the issue of anonymization of qualitative data for secondary use. In addition, the study describes some strengths and weaknesses of anonymization policies.

Why is this important?

The four central questions the researchers pose in the study are:

• "What are the alternatives to anonymization?"
• "What is anonymization, in the context of secondary use of qualitative data?"
• "How can researchers best anonymize qualitative data for secondary use?"
• "What is enough anonymization?"

For whom is this important?

All stakeholders in researchPhD studentsJunior researchersSupervisorsAdministrators

Other information

When

• 2005

Where

• Canada

Virtues & Values

• Respect
• Honesty

Good Practices & Misconduct

• Privacy
• Anonymity
• Confidentiality

Research Area

• Health sciences