Promises and pitfalls of data sharing in qualitative research

Abstract

The movement for research transparency has gained irresistible momentum over the past decade. Although qualitative research is rarely published in the high-impact journals that have adopted, or are most likely to adopt, data sharing policies, qualitative researchers who publish work in these and similar venues will likely encounter questions about data sharing within the next few years. The fundamental ways in which qualitative and quantitative data differ should be considered when assessing the extent to which qualitative and mixed methods researchers should be expected to adhere to data sharing policies developed with quantitative studies in mind. We outline several of the most critical concerns below, while also suggesting possible modifications that may help to reduce the probability of unintended adverse consequences and to ensure that the sharing of qualitative data is consistent with ethical standards in research.

Research Participant Views regarding Qualitative Data Sharing

“…Further, in contrast to quantitative data, qualitative data frequently take the form of textual data, such as transcripts, that may be difficult to anonymize 14 . The criteria most health care or academic organizations use for deidentifying quantitative data is the removal of the 18 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) identifiers, such as an individual's name, address, and phone number.…”

Choices on selective clinical data sharing by people with Parkinson’s disease

“…However, it is essential that data sharing policies take into consideration the effects of sharing data on participants. 6 Although, data collection is regulated, different data collection mechanisms exist under different governance regimes. 1 Depending on the circumstances for which the data is being collected, governance can be a result of law, public health ethics, ethics of clinical care, research ethics, or commercial contracts between individuals and service providers.…”

Transparency and Unmasking Issues in Ethnographic Crime Research: Methodological Considerations

“…; Moravcsik ; Tsai et al. ). Research institutions, such as the National Science Foundation, have followed suit, creating qualitative data repositories that store field notes, interview transcripts, and other collected materials (Moravcsik , ; QDR, ).…”

“…The Goffman controversy coincides with the call for "transparency" within the larger research world. Researchers increasingly argue that we need to facilitate replication and be able to check for inaccuracies and fraud (Bloom, Ganley, and Winker 2014;Moravcsik 2014a;Tsai et al 2016). To a large extent, I agree.…”

“…Researchers increasingly argue that we need to facilitate replication and be able to check for inaccuracies and fraud (Bloom, Ganley, and Winker 2014; Moravcsik ; Tsai et al. ). To a large extent, I agree.…”