What is a key factor that allows a researcher to conduct secondary analysis of a CDC database?

A key factor that allows a researcher to conduct secondary analysis of a CDC database is that the database is publicly available and has no identifiers. When data is publicly available, it allows researchers to access and analyze information without requiring special permissions or consent from individuals. Removing identifiers from the dataset enhances confidentiality and protects the privacy of individuals whose data is included, making it ethical to use for research purposes. This aligns with the principles of secondary analysis, where researchers use existing data to derive new insights without the need for direct interaction with the original data subjects.

In contrast, participation in the initial data collection, the original purpose of data collection, or obtaining consent from individuals are not necessary conditions for conducting secondary analysis if the data is structured properly for public use. For example, databases intended strictly for patient treatment may have privacy concerns that do not apply to data that has been anonymized and made publicly available for research.