In a longitudinal study, what confidentiality procedure protects against compelled disclosure of identifiable information?

In a longitudinal study, securing a Certificate of Confidentiality is a robust confidentiality procedure designed to protect against compelled disclosure of identifiable information. This certificate, issued by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers legal protection to researchers, preventing them from being forced to disclose sensitive personal information in legal proceedings, even if it is subpoenaed.

This measure is particularly vital when dealing with vulnerable populations, such as prisoners, as it assures participants that their privacy will be safeguarded against breaches that could arise from legal inquiries into their data. Therefore, having a Certificate of Confidentiality enhances participants’ willingness to provide honest and accurate information, knowing their anonymity is legally protected.