To reduce risks of harm in an online survey, what strategy should a researcher employ?

Designing a survey to avoid collecting any identifiers is an effective strategy for reducing risks of harm in an online survey. By not collecting identifiable information, such as names, addresses, or email addresses, researchers can help protect participants' privacy and maintain confidentiality. This is especially important in sensitive research contexts, where revealing a participant's identity could lead to potential harm, such as stigmatization or retribution.

When identifiers are omitted, the likelihood of unintentional disclosure of sensitive information decreases, allowing participants to feel more secure in providing honest responses. This approach aligns with ethical guidelines that emphasize the importance of safeguarding participant data and ensuring their protection throughout the research process.

Collecting demographic questions can enhance data analysis, but it may raise privacy concerns unless handled with care. Requiring email addresses could increase the risk of unwanted exposure and harm, while limiting the survey to a single question would not effectively address the data quality or depth of understanding necessary for comprehensive research.