Special considerations for different data types
Special considerations for different data types
To ensure that consent is fully informed, the following sections outline specific considerations associated with each type of data that may be collected, used, or shared as part of this research. Participants are encouraged to review these carefully before agreeing to take part.
Participants should be informed that their responses will be organised into structured datasets and may be anonymised or pseudonymised before sharing. The consent should clarify whether their data could be linked with other datasets for research purposes and explain the level of detail that will be retained (e.g. demographic categories). It should also specify whether data will be shared in raw or aggregated form and outline any access restrictions.
Participants should be made aware that textual data may include detailed personal narratives that could indirectly identify them. The consent form should explain how transcripts will be edited or anonymised and whether direct quotations may be used in publications. Where appropriate, participants should be given the option to consent separately to being quoted verbatim, paraphrased, or fully anonymised.
Because these data types can directly identify individuals, consent must explicitly cover recording and potential reuse. Participants should be informed whether recordings will be stored, shared, or only used for transcription before deletion. The consent form should clearly state that anonymity may not be possible and should include separate options for agreeing to different uses, such as research analysis, teaching, or public dissemination.
Participants should be informed that location data can reveal sensitive information about their identity or behaviour. The consent process should explain the level of geographic precision collected and whether this will be reduced (e.g. aggregated to a broader area) before sharing. It should also highlight any risks associated with combining spatial data with other information that could enable reidentification.
Consent should address the fact that relational data may include information about interactions or relationships with other individuals. Participants need to understand how these relationships will be represented and anonymised, and whether data about third parties may be indirectly included. The consent form should also clarify any ethical limitations, particularly where it is not possible to obtain consent from all individuals represented in the dataset.