The primary purpose of a Certificate of Confidentiality is to

Subject : Psychology

Question: The primary purpose of a Certificate of Confidentiality is to:

A. Allow law enforcement to investigate abuse cases.

B. Prevent subjects from knowing the purpose of a study.

C. Protect identifiable research information from compelled disclosure.

D. Protect researchers from disclosing conflicts of interest.

Expert Verified Solution:

The correct answer is:

C) Protect identifiable research information from compelled disclosure.

Explanation:

The primary purpose of a Certificate of Confidentiality is to protect researchers from being legally required to disclose identifiable information about participants in a study, even if subpoenaed. This is particularly important in sensitive research areas such as mental health, substance abuse, or criminal behavior, where participants might be reluctant to participate without assurances that their information will remain confidential. The certificate helps protect the privacy of research subjects and encourages participation in important research.