Anonymising interview data: challenges and compromise in practice

Saunders, B; Kitzinger, J; Kitzinger, C

doi:10.1177/1468794114550439

Anonymising interview data: challenges and compromise in practice

Saunders, B; Kitzinger, J; Kitzinger, C

Authors

Dr Benjamin Saunders b.saunders@keele.ac.uk

J Kitzinger

C Kitzinger

Abstract

Anonymising qualitative research data can be challenging, especially in highly sensitive contexts such as catastrophic brain injury and end-of-life decision-making. Using examples from in-depth interviews with family members of people in vegetative and minimally conscious states, this article discusses the issues we faced in trying to maximise participant anonymity alongside maintaining the integrity of our data. We discuss how we developed elaborate, context-sensitive strategies to try to preserve the richness of the interview material wherever possible while also protecting participants. This discussion of the practical and ethical details of anonymising is designed to add to the largely theoretical literature on this topic and to be of illustrative use to other researchers confronting similar dilemmas.

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	Sep 23, 2014
Publication Date	Oct 15, 2015
Publicly Available Date	May 26, 2023
Journal	Qualitative Research
Print ISSN	1468-7941
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	15
Issue	5
Pages	616 -632
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794114550439
Keywords	anonymity, coma, confidentiality, minimally conscious, research ethics, serious brain injury, vegetative
Publisher URL	https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794114550439