Which data collection method provides privacy in this scenario?

• A. Anonymous online survey
• B. In-person interview
• C. Public posting of responses
• D. Face-to-face identity verification

Answer: (A)

Privacy in data collection is strongest when responses can’t be linked to the people who gave them. An anonymous online survey achieves this by not collecting identifying information and by keeping responses separate from any personal data, so the dataset cannot be traced back to an individual. This minimizes the risk of confidentiality breaches and aligns with protecting participants in practice.

In contrast, an in-person interview often involves collecting names or contact details, and storing notes or recordings that tie responses to a person. Public posting of responses makes the information accessible to everyone, removing privacy entirely. Requiring identity verification for data collection directly ties the data to a specific person, compromising privacy as well. Thus, an anonymous online survey provides the privacy needed in this scenario.