Protecting Student Anonymity in Research Using a Subject-Generated Identification Code.

Abstract Background Within nursing education research, protection of students as human subjects must be the highest priority. This protection can be provided via student anonymity. A subject-generated identification code, comprised of responses to a series of questions, can link data across time poi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Professional Nursing Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 120 - 124
Autores principales: Lippe, Megan, Johnson, Bailey, Carter, Patricia
Formato: research Journal Article
Publicado: W B Saunders Mar2019
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract Background Within nursing education research, protection of students as human subjects must be the highest priority. This protection can be provided via student anonymity. A subject-generated identification code, comprised of responses to a series of questions, can link data across time points while protecting student anonymity. Method Two studies, focused on palliative care education, used a subject-generated identification code to link student data across multiple time points. Refinements to the code were made between studies to further enhance anonymity and response consistency. Results The subject-generated identification code fostered linking of student responses across three time points in study one and two time points in study two. Conclusion There are many benefits to utilizing a subject-generated identification code in nursing education studies. Researchers must consider the need for a data management expert and balancing transposition errors and the power to differentiate between responses. Highlights • Educational research with students risks power differentials. • Protection of student anonymity can mitigate the power differential. • A subject-generated identification code facilitates anonymous student survey completion. • Data can still be linked across time points. • Educational researchers should use subject-generated identification codes in research.