View/Open - Scholarly Commons Home

3.14 Confidentiality and right to privacy
A unique identifier code was generated from the web based programme and
randomly allocated to ensure anonymity and confidentiality. All data entered by
participants was immediately transferred to the online spreadsheets and no individual
files or hardcopies were generated. From the commencement of the study, data files
were kept in a secure, password protected database accessible only by the research
team. Once the data collection was completed all identifiers, for example, name, contact
details and NHI number on the database were removed and deleted. At completion of
the study all data will be stored for 14 years as anonymous data in a password protected
database.
3.15 Minimisation of harm
There was an acknowledged risk of harm in the nature of the research questions
on sexuality, social connectedness, risk taking behaviours, and mood alteration. In
addition, completion of the questionnaire may not have been conducted in a secure or
protective environment with appropriate counselling support at hand. As the Youth’07
survey was conducted in schools during class time, counsellors were on hand if
required. Minimisation of harm was carefully considered and questions in the Youth’07
questionnaire that could cause distress and were not absolutely necessary to our research
were removed. At the start of sensitive sections of the questionnaire, an information box
was displayed with the words “if these questions have been upsetting for you and you
wish to talk with someone you can phone the 0800 free call number on your letter,
Youthline 0800 376633, free txt 234 or 0800 WHATSUP ( 0800 942 87 87)”. All
questions that had potential harm were branching questions with an opt-out box. An
0800 number was set up with 24 access and as well as being clearly identifiable on the
information sheet, was also displayed on screen at the start and finish of the
questionnaire, with a recommendation to make contact if there is anything within the
34