When is it permissible to disclose research findings without breaching confidentiality?

The disclosure of research findings without breaching confidentiality is permissible when the data is aggregated with no identifiers. This means that individual responses cannot be traced back to any specific participant, thus protecting their privacy. Aggregated data provides a summary of results that reflects the overall trends and patterns without compromising the confidentiality of individual participant information. This practice is fundamental in research ethics, particularly when working with vulnerable populations, such as prisoners, who may face additional risks if their identities are revealed.

Using aggregated data ensures compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations that govern research practices, as it enables researchers to share valuable insights while upholding the trust and confidentiality established with participants. In contrast, the other choices involve situations that could potentially compromise confidentiality. For instance, prior approval for publication (as mentioned in one of the options) does not eliminate the risk of identifiable information being disclosed if proper measures are not taken. Similarly, retaining identifiers for audit purposes can jeopardize participant confidentiality if data is mishandled.