What does the term "identifiable private information" refer to in research contexts?

The term "identifiable private information" in research contexts refers to information that can be linked to a specific individual. This means that the data collected includes personal details that can be used to determine the identity of an individual participant, thereby allowing for the potential connection of the data back to that person's private life.

Identifiable private information typically consists of elements like names, social security numbers, addresses, or other data points that enable researchers or other parties to trace the information back to the individual. This is an important consideration in research, especially when working with sensitive populations, as it underscores the need for confidentiality and the ethical handling of such data.

In contrast, data collected anonymously—where there are no identifiers—cannot be linked to any individual, which is not considered identifiable private information. General demographic statistics do not point to specific individuals either, as they aggregate information from groups without revealing identities. Lastly, observational data recorded without consent raises ethical concerns, but it too does not inherently define or dictate what constitutes identifiable private information.