Which confidentiality procedure protects against compelled disclosure in a study involving children and illegal activities?

The confidentiality procedure that provides a strong safeguard against compelled disclosure, particularly in sensitive contexts such as studies involving children and illegal activities, is securing a Certificate of Confidentiality. This certificate protects researchers from being compelled to disclose identifying information about participants in legal proceedings. It essentially assures participants that their data will be kept confidential and that researchers will resist any legal demands for disclosure.

In research involving vulnerable populations like children, and especially when the activities under study may involve illegal behavior, protecting participant identities is crucial. A Certificate of Confidentiality enhances participants' willingness to share honest and potentially incriminating information, which is often necessary for the integrity and validity of the research.

Other options, while they may contribute to the overall handling of data, do not provide the same level of protection against legal demands. For example, waiving documentation of consent does not enhance confidentiality; using pseudonyms helps with anonymity but does not prevent compelled disclosure; and regular training on data handling is important for ethical research practices but does not specifically address legal protections against disclosure.