Since it is not allowed to publish personal data, data files containing personal data must be anonymised. Research data must also be stored securely, especially if they contain confidential or sensitive (personal) information. 

Anonymisation

Securing data

Social scientists regularly do research in conflict areas or countries with authoritarian regimes. They must be well aware that all their movements are followed, monitored, stored and analysed via the internet. So as not to endanger their informants, their research data and themselves, they must encrypt their email and take other measures to prevent that their steps on the internet are deciphered and traced back to them.

General information