What occurred when a researcher left a file of aggregated data in her car that got stolen?

In this scenario, the correct conclusion focuses on the specific nature of aggregated data. Aggregated data refers to information that has been collected and presented in summary form, often without personal identifiers. Because the data in question does not include identifiable details about individual participants, the risk associated with privacy and confidentiality breaches is significantly reduced.

When aggregated data is lost or stolen, it generally does not compromise the privacy of the individuals involved because the information cannot be used to identify them. Thus, the event of the data theft does not constitute a violation of privacy or confidentiality since there are no participants' identities that could be exposed or misused. It is crucial for researchers to ensure that data is handled appropriately, yet in this case, the nature of aggregated data inherently limits the potential harm caused by such incidents.

The concern for researchers should remain on how to protect both identifiable and aggregated data, but it's important to recognize that the absence of identifiable information reduces the breach's severity significantly.