Means that the participant's identity, although known to the researcher, is not revealed to anyone outside of the researcher and his or her staff.

Means that the participant's identity, although known to the researcher, is not revealed to anyone outside of the researcher and his or her staff. (a) Anonymity

(b) Confidentiality

(c) Both a & b

(d) None

✅ Correct option: (b) Confidentiality

Explanation:

Confidentiality in research refers to the ethical principle that the identity of research participants is known to the researcher but is protected from disclosure to anyone else. This means that personal information collected during the research—such as names, addresses, or identifying codes—is kept secure and is not shared publicly or with unauthorized individuals. Confidentiality is different from anonymity. In anonymous research, the researcher does not know the identity of participants at all. However, in many research studies, especially in education, psychology, and medical research, it is often necessary for the researcher to know who the participants are in order to follow up, analyze data accurately, or ensure ethical procedures. In such cases, confidentiality is essential. Maintaining confidentiality builds trust between the researcher and participants, encourages honest responses, and protects participants from potential harm, embarrassment, or legal consequences. Ethical review boards (IRBs) require clear plans for safeguarding confidential data, such as using codes instead of names, secure data storage, and limited access to records. Therefore, the correct answer is confidentiality, option (b).

10 Related PPSC Facts:

Confidentiality protects participant identity Researcher knows identity but does not disclose it Required by ethical guidelines Encourages honest participation Differs from anonymity Data are stored securely Access is limited to research team Breach of confidentiality is unethical Required by IRB approval Protects participant rights