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

The researchers will tape-record the research subjects' voice and might record demographic information such as the research subjects' name or initials, age, birth date, education, and occupation. All of this information is personal identifiable information. The name of the research subject may identify the individual directly. Initials, age, birth date, education, occupation, voice, and other information revealed on tape may identify an individual indirectly, when taken together in context.

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 study, a representative from the Chinese community centre might make initial contact with the potential research subjects, either in person or by letter. Should the potential research subjects agree, a member of the research team would then discuss the study with them in detail.

By consenting to participate in the research, the subjects allow researchers to use data about themselves for these defined purposes. 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, including use of the tape recordings for educational purposes.

Privacy might also be protected by giving research subjects the option of stopping the tape recording and observation if they do not want certain conversations included in the research, and/or by allowing research subjects to review the audiotapes or transcripts before the data is included in the analysis.

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 tapes, written records, and transcriptions. 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. In this type of research, transcriptions of conversations are reported in publications and presentations. The researchers should propose means for ensuring that the research subjects are not identifiable through the content of the conversation when considered in isolation, or when combined with other data presented in the research paper. The researchers should also ensure they do not publish conversations that might be harmful to individuals should they happen to be identified. The researchers may decide to give the research subjects an opportunity to review manuscripts before they are disseminated. As part of the free and informed consent process, the researchers should tell the research subjects of the means by which they will ensure their anonymity when the data is published.

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

The researchers may want to play the tapes at conferences, or use them for teaching purposes. This may lead to the research subjects' being identified by some members of the audience. Because there is little that the researchers can do to prevent identification, research subjects should be asked for their permission to use the tapes in this way.

In some instances, research records may be liable to subpoena in judicial and administrative proceedings and data may be vulnerable to search warrants. In addition, provincial statutes may require reporting of child abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, intent to murder, or suicidal thoughts. The research subject should be informed during the free and informed consent process if there is a chance that any of the information collected during the tape-recorded conversations might be liable to subpoena or be disclosed to the government or government agencies.