Technology and cognition ethics ERQ

Confidentiality in psychological research

The ethical obligation to protect participants' personal data and ensure that any information they provide is not identifiable or shared without consent.

Importance of confidentiality in studies involving technology and cognition

These studies often involve personal or sensitive data about technology use, digital memory habits, or cognitive performance, which could affect how participants are perceived if not handled confidentially.

Ethical concern in Kaspersky Lab (2015) study

Participants shared personal information about their memory habits, including an inability to recall basic facts without technology — this could be considered embarrassing or stigmatizing if confidentiality is breached.

Protecting confidentiality in survey-based tech research

Collect anonymous or pseudonymized responses, clearly explain how data will be stored and used, follow data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR), and avoid reporting any identifiable or individual-level data in findings.

Ethical issue in Blacker et al. (2014)

Participants were tested on visual working memory before and after gameplay — without proper protection, performance data could be linked to individuals and used to judge intelligence or ability.

Ensuring confidentiality in cognitive performance studies

Use coded ID numbers rather than names, store data securely and separately from consent forms, ensure participants know their performance results are confidential and anonymous, and clarify that results will be used only for research purposes.

Differences in confidentiality risks between Kaspersky Lab and Blacker et al.

Kaspersky Lab deals with self-reported digital behavior, which may reveal sensitive personal habits; Blacker et al. involves measured performance data, which could affect how participants view their abilities.

Crucial nature of confidentiality in tech-cognition studies

Because both digital behavior and cognitive performance can reflect on a person's intelligence, habits, or lifestyle — breaches in confidentiality could lead to embarrassment, stigma, or misuse of data.

Overall importance of confidentiality in research

Confidentiality protects participants' dignity, privacy, and autonomy, and builds trust in psychological research — especially when collecting sensitive tech-related data.

Best practices for upholding confidentiality

Use anonymous data collection, obtain explicit consent for data usage, provide a clear data protection statement, and avoid linking data to identities in reporting.