Evaluating Risk

Identifiability

The most common risk associated with data linkage is the risk to privacy. The seriousness of the risks associated with the use of personal information will be affected by the degree of identifiability of the information. According to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2018), identifiability exists on a continuum. Researchers need to consider how likely it is that the identity of individuals can be ascertained from the information involved in a project. Element 4: Collection, Use and Management of Data and Information contained in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2018) addresses ethical issues related to generation, collection, access, use, analysis, disclosure, storage, retention, disposal, sharing and re-use of data or information.

Useful resources

Researchers should be guided by information compiled by Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and its state and territory equivalents, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian National Data Service, in tandem with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2018).