CITI Risk Assessment SBE Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Guide

A scenario that demonstrates both a breach of confidentiality and a violation of privacy involves identifiable data being shared when there is a promise of anonymity. In this case, a faculty member's action of sharing identifiable data after assuring that it would remain anonymous directly contravenes the principles of confidentiality. Confidentiality requires that researchers protect participants' private information, and sharing identifiable data breaks that trust. Additionally, this action infringes on the participants' privacy rights, as their personally identifiable information is exposed against their expectations and the previously granted assurances. This dual violation highlights why this scenario is particularly serious in research ethics, as it can lead to both ethical and legal repercussions.

In contrast, failing to anonymize data properly addresses only a confidentiality issue, while publishing data without consent concerns primarily privacy. Using only aggregate data does not breach either confidentiality or privacy, as it prevents individual identification.