when a focus group deals with a potentially sensitive topic, which of the following statements about providing confidentiality to focus group participants is correct?
The correct statement is:
The researcher cannot control what participants repeat about others outside the group.
Why this is the correct option
In a focus group, people talk together in the same room and hear each other’s stories directly, so true confidentiality can never be fully guaranteed. Even if the researcher:
- Uses pseudonyms in notes and reports
- Asks everyone to sign a “confidentiality agreement”
- Reminds participants not to share what they heard
they still cannot control what participants say once they leave the session.
That is why ethics and IRB guidelines emphasize that researchers must tell participants up front that confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed in a group setting, only encouraged and supported with best practices.
Why the other statements are wrong
- “If group members know each other confidentiality is not an issue.” – This is incorrect; if anything, knowing each other can increase the risk that comments are discussed later.
- “Using pseudonyms in reports removes the concern about any confidences shared in the group.” – This only protects identities in the written report, not what participants remember and may repeat.
- “If participants sign confidentiality agreements, the researcher can guarantee confidentiality.” – Agreements set expectations but cannot ensure no one will talk afterward.
If you have the full list of answer choices from your exam or textbook, can you paste them so I can confirm they match this set exactly?
