What does a nurse researcher ensure when he informs a participant that their identity will not be linked with the collected information?

In the context of research ethics, when a nurse researcher informs a participant that their identity will not be linked to the collected information, this primarily pertains to the concept of confidentiality. Confidentiality refers to the obligation of the researcher to protect a participant's private information and ensure that it is not disclosed without consent. By assuring participants that their identities remain protected, the researcher helps build trust, which is essential for ethical research practices.

Confidentiality goes beyond mere data collection; it emphasizes the need for careful handling of the information so that individual responses cannot be traced back to specific participants. This reassurance is crucial for enabling participants to feel secure in sharing sensitive or personal information, thus fostering a more honest and open research environment.

While other concepts such as anonymity and protection from harm are also important, they have different implications. Anonymity relates specifically to ensuring that a participant’s identity cannot be connected to their responses at all, even by the researcher, whereas confidentiality refers to the control over the information shared. Therefore, stating that a participant's identity will not be linked to the information collected directly aligns with the fundamental principles of maintaining confidentiality in research.