a. To what extent is personal identifiable information being collected
as part of this research?

The questionnaire might ask for the research subject's age or employer's name, since this information may be relevant to their escape. This information is personal identifiable information and may identify an individual indirectly.

b. What steps might help to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality
of individuals is protected?

Individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy and should only be approached to participate in research by someone who has a justifiable reason to have access to those prospective participants and has a reason to know why they might participate in the research study.

In this case, it is important to distinguish between two sets of issues: those associated with the identification of research subjects, and those associated with the recruitment of research subjects. In order to protect individuals who have a reasonable expectation of privacy, the initial identification of potential research subjects should be accomplished by someone the individual would think has a reason to know why he or she might participate in the study. In this study, the employer will make initial contact with potential research subjects. The employer could send all the employees a letter that describes the project and invites potential research subjects (i.e., employees who had escaped from the building at the time of the fire) to attend information sessions given by the research team about the project. Interested individuals could then receive the questionnaire at the information sessions. The role of the employer would end after the identification phase, and it would be made clear that information about those employees choosing to participate in the project would not be communicated to the employer or have any effect on their employment status.

During the free and informed consent process, the researchers should describe the way the data will be used, as well as any anticipated secondary uses of the data. By consenting to participate in the research, the subjects allow researchers to use data about themselves for these defined purposes.

The researchers might protect confidentiality of the data by assigning each research subject a code number and using that number on all data about the subject. The researchers might also use locked rooms and filing cabinets to store the completed questionnaires. Data might be stored on a non-networked computer protected by a password.

When information collected through this research is disseminated, subjects are likely to be anonymous. Data might be presented in aggregate form to limit linking specific responses to individuals.

c. Might there be any limits on the researchers' ability to protect the
confidentiality of the data in this study?

Information collected in this study might be liable to subpoena in judicial proceedings related to the fire. It is also possible that provincial legislation might require disclosure of some information revealed during post-trauma counselling (e.g., suicidal thoughts, child abuse). As part of the free and informed consent process, the researchers should inform potential research subjects of any potential limits on their ability to protect confidentiality of the data.