Which action constitutes both a breach of confidentiality and a violation of privacy in research?

Making identifiable data about sexual behavior available to graduate students represents a breach of confidentiality and a violation of privacy in research for several reasons.

Firstly, confidentiality refers to the obligation of researchers to safeguard personal information shared by research participants. By making identifiable data available, the researcher compromises this obligation, as the individuals’ identities can be linked to sensitive information, leading to potential harm or distress. This action disregards ethical standards in research to protect the identities of participants, particularly regarding sensitive topics like sexual behavior.

Secondly, privacy encompasses the right of individuals to control their personal information and decide who has access to it. When identifiable information is shared, even with graduate students who may have a legitimate interest in the research, it infringes upon participants' privacy rights. Participants expect that their sensitive information will be handled with care and respect, and sharing it with others violates that expectation.

In contrast, storing data on an unsecured server primarily raises concerns about data security but does not by itself involve sharing identifiable information with others. Sharing de-identified data is in line with ethical research practices, as it protects participant identities. Informing subjects about potential risks is an essential part of the informed consent process and does not constitute a breach of confidentiality or privacy.