What does obtaining a Certificate of Confidentiality ensure for researchers?

Obtaining a Certificate of Confidentiality provides researchers with legal protection against compelled disclosure of data. This certificate is crucial in safeguarding the privacy of research participants. It prevents researchers from being forced by legal means to disclose identifiable information about participants, thus encouraging honest and open participation without the fear of legal repercussions. This protection is particularly significant in studies involving sensitive information, as it helps to bolster trust between researchers and participants.

The other options do not accurately reflect what the certificate entails. For instance, while anonymity is a goal in many studies, the certificate itself does not guarantee that all data will be anonymous; rather, it protects the confidentiality of data even if it contains identifiable information. Additionally, the certificate does not provide researchers the freedom to share identifiable information with third parties, nor does it create a guarantee that participants will be truthful in their responses.