When evaluating the risk of harm in web-based surveys of sensitive topics, what two factors should be considered?

Considering the sensitivity of the topics addressed in web-based surveys, evaluating the risk of harm involves two critical components: the magnitude of harm and the probability of harm.

The magnitude of harm refers to the potential severity of negative consequences that could arise from a participant's involvement in the study. Sensitive topics often carry risks such as emotional distress, privacy violations, or even social repercussions, and understanding how severe these outcomes could be helps in risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

The probability of harm focuses on the likelihood that any given participant could experience harm as a result of their participation in the study. This involves assessing factors such as the nature of the questions being asked, the population involved, and the overall context of the survey. By evaluating both the magnitude and probability of harm, researchers can better identify, anticipate, and mitigate risks associated with sensitive topics in their surveys, ensuring participant safety and ethical integrity in their research practices.

Other options, while they may reflect important aspects of conducting research, do not directly address the specific concerns related to the risk of harm in sensitive survey topics. They focus on logistics or demographic data rather than the evaluation of risk itself.