What constitutes identifiable private information in research?

Identifiable private information in research refers to data that can be directly associated with a specific individual, allowing for the identification of that person. This means any data points or details collected that can be traced back to an individual, such as names, social security numbers, or other unique identifiers, fall under this category. In the context of research, this concept is critical to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of participants are maintained.

General participant demographics, while they may provide insights into trends or patterns, typically do not identify individuals unless combined with other specific information. Aggregated data presents a summary of information from multiple individuals and does not allow for identification of specific participants. Similarly, published results that do not disclose personal details cannot be traced back to any one individual and thus do not constitute identifiable private information. The emphasis on the ability to connect data directly to an individual underscores why the correct answer is the data that can be linked to specific individuals.