Question

By participating in the research, it is possible that subjects will become publicly identified as HIV-positive. This breach of confidentiality could lead to negative consequences for the prisoner. One method for the investigator to preserve this confidentiality is to interview a larger sample of offenders, some who are HIV-positive and some who are not. While the survey should be validated and reliable, it does not have to be standardized. Because the research is behavioral only, there is no need for a medical doctor. The prison's HIV testing procedures are not part of the study.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The statement is a) True. To preserve confidentiality, the investigator can interview a larger sample of offenders, including both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, without involving medical doctors or the prison's HIV testing procedures. (Option a)

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the statement is accurate. To prevent the identification of HIV-positive subjects and potential negative consequences for the prisoners, the investigator can design the study by interviewing a larger sample that includes both individuals who are HIV-positive and those who are not. This approach helps mask the HIV status of individual subjects within the broader group, preserving confidentiality.

While the survey should be validated and reliable for accurate data collection, it does not necessarily have to be standardized. The emphasis is on maintaining the confidentiality of the participants without involving medical doctors or the prison's HIV testing procedures. The behavioral nature of the research allows for the collection of relevant data without delving into medical testing or procedures.

In ethical research practices, ensuring confidentiality is paramount, especially when dealing with sensitive information such as HIV status. By adopting a method that conceals individual identities within a diverse sample, the investigator can gather valuable behavioral data while mitigating the potential harm to subjects. This approach strikes a balance between the research objectives and the ethical considerations associated with the confidentiality of sensitive information. (Option a)