Respect for Rights of Privacy and Confidentiality (2.2)

2.2.1. Privacy and confidentiality must be respected. The identity of participants is to be protected at all stages of a project unless prior consent has been obtained from each participant. The confidentiality of information obtained incidentally during research must also be respected except where disclosure is necessary to avoid grave harm.

2.2.2. The distinction between anonymity and confidentiality must be appreciated (Refer to Appendix A). It may not be possible to guarantee anonymity in all situations and this should be acknowledged by researchers.

2.2.3. Researchers should remain aware of the possibility of inadvertent disclosure of identities, for example when reflecting on their research experiences in focus group discussions.

2.2.4. Researchers are responsible for keeping information (including the identity of participants) confidential and secure from interception or appropriation by unauthorised persons, or for purposes other than the approved research. This will often require coding of data and removal of identifying material from documentation. Anonymity is not always assured when this is done.

2.2.5. Researchers and supervisors are responsible for the safekeeping and confidentiality of signed consent forms.  These must be stored separately from the data.

2.2.6. Teaching or research participation by a health consumer requires compliance with the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996  (Refer to Appendix O).

2.2.7. The Privacy Act (1993) must be complied with.  Participants have a right to access all personal information held by researchers. Information must be used only for the purpose for which it was gathered (Refer to Appendix I).

2.2.8. Where the health information of participants is being gathered, applicants must consult the Health Information Privacy Code.