Rethinking Confidentiality in Qualitative Research in the Era of Big Data

Abstract

This article takes the big data era as a starting point to examine common assumptions about confidentiality and privacy, arguing that confidentiality is a westernized notion that is currently facing various challenges because of the present shift toward the openness of data access across multiple platforms. We contend that the notion of privacy is more dynamic in many non-Western societies and, therefore, we want to challenge confidentiality as a necessary condition for research. Revisiting the first author’s experience working with participatory qualitative data collection methods, we argue that there are communities where confidentiality matters less; in such communities, instead of engaging in strict confidentiality procedures, particularly since confidentiality will never be achieved, qualitative researchers should build on the attitudes of such communities and go beyond the notion of individual privacy to better facilitate the formulation of community action plans for possible interventions in areas of perceived societal needs.

Indigenous data sovereignties and data sharing in biological anthropology

“…This means that researchers must think differently not only about how data are generated but also how it is governed, and the forms of consent and confidentiality beyond the individual level that may be necessary (Kamanzi & Romania, 2019;Tsosie, Yracheta, & Dickenson, 2019). While more collective and community-based participatory research (CBPR) models have been gaining traction in science, we note that not all community-centered approaches are commensurate with Indigenous data sovereignty models.…”

Social Work Practitioners’ and Supervisors' Conceptualisation of Supervision at the Department of Social Development, King Cetshwayo District: A Polity Dualism

“…Confidentiality is one of the fundamental and basic ethical principles of social work research. It upholds the participants' right to privacy regarding what they share in the course of the datacollection process and allows them to feel more at ease with participation and sharing their experiences (Kamanzi & Romania, 2019). Confidentiality was guaranteed, which allowed participants to express their feelings and experiences freely.…”

Does inter-border conflict influence the views of task sharing among community health volunteers in Nigeria? A qualitative study

“…T/X). All data was stored securely in password protected files without identifying information and paper copies were locked in drawers and only accessible to the research team [ 49 , 50 ]. Whilst confidentiality was ensured, considering that CHWs and their supervisors were interviewed, anxiety may have ensued in the former.…”