Table 2 Direct identifiers detected in manuscripts and changes to minimize risk of reidentification of study participants
Location in manuscript of direct identifier (incidence) | Cause/trigger | Implemented change |
|---|---|---|
Body text (three manuscripts) | Several direct identifiers in text proposed Single ‘participant IDs’ used in text and footnotes of tables Term ‘participant ID’ used for consecutive number | Inclusion of direct identifiers in text rejected Transformed ‘participant IDs’ into consecutive numbers ‘Participant ID’ label changed to participant number to avoid misleading interpretations |
Figures/listings (three manuscripts) | ‘Participant IDs’ in figures (in two manuscripts) ‘Participant IDs’ in figures; use of genotype information in participant listings | Transformed ‘participant IDs’ into consecutive numbers Transformed ‘participant IDs’ into consecutive numbers and removed genotype table |
Tables (two manuscripts) | ‘Participant IDs’ in table | Transformed ‘participant IDs’ into consecutive numbers |