Anonymity

Anonymity means that a research participant's identity and responses cannot be identified. Most ethical and professional codes of conduct require that researchers protect participant privacy through strategies that safeguard anonymity and confidentiality. A consequence of such codes is that researchers often assume anonymity must always be protected; they sometimes forget that participants might not share the same privacy concerns and would like to be acknowledged for their contributions.

The anonymity of participants can be full or partial. Full anonymity exists when even a researcher does not know the identity of participants and the participants are unable to identify their own responses. For example, a postal survey with no identifiers and a questionnaire design that eliminates unique responses is completely anonymous. Such anonymity, however, raises validity concerns because it is also impossible to know whether the survey was completed by the desired participants. Partial anonymity exists when participants' identities are disguised with pseudonyms but their true identities could still be discovered. For example, pseudonymous internet chat room users may be traced to their personal computers. Identities may also be discovered if a researcher discloses unique characteristics about participants that are later recognized by alert readers.

Anonymity is most desirable to protect participants from harms that arise from the disclosure of their identities. For example, participants who are reporting human rights abuses under an oppressive regime benefit from anonymity. When investigating sensitive topics, anonymity can help to increase the likelihood that participants will give more candid information. Moreover, if a researcher does not know the names of interviewees, law enforcement authorities and other interested parties are unlikely to attempt to access confidential research files.

For some participants, a benefit of taking part in a study is the opportunity to publicly express their experiences and beliefs. They may desire acknowledgment of this and seek ownership of their contributions to a study. Indeed, they may even want readers to be able to contact them. Canada's national tri-council policy statement, Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, recommends a participant-centered perspective that encourages researchers to collaborate with participants and to ensure consideration of their interests. The participant-centered approach suggests that anonymity should not be imposed on participants who wish to be named.

In qualitative research, anonymity can facilitate candid disclosure of sensitive information while also protecting the privacy and safety interests of participants. At the same time, if a source is completely anonymous, it is also impossible for researchers to account for the authenticity of their data. Finally, many research participants do not seek the privacy often imposed by researchers and ethics boards. Their wish to have ownership of their contributions to research—to be seen—should be given as much consideration as their concerns for privacy.