[Air-L] Anonymizing qual interview data?

[Cory Robinson]

HI all,

Two Master’s students I recently met are conducting recorded interviews resulting in texts they will code and quote within their theses. I have given input about how to protect the recorded interviews (encrypted, password protected, not stored in the cloud). I do not work with qual data, so I need help recommending methodology or help for anonymizing quotes in their thesis.

(I am inquiring about this for a student, that unfortunately, has not received helpful advice from their supervisor). ☹

The students assumed they would assign each participating an identification number, and then attribute the quote and ID # in their thesis. However, I feel there is surely a better way to ensure anonymity? (Too easy to reidentify if research data was obtained).

What methods do you utilize for anonymizing individual interview data? Or manuscripts/books helpful for this? Sadly, the students are nearing the end of the study, but late is better than never. (It’s indeed a failure of universities, as well as unequipped supervisors!)

Best,
Cory
--
Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Communication Design
Linköping University
P: +46 (0)11 36 36 38
E: cory.robinson at liu.se<mailto:cory.robinson at liu.se>
http://liu-se.academia.edu/StephenCoryRobinson<http://colostate.academia.edu/StephenCoryRobinson>
Founder, Nordic Privacy Center (nordicprivacy.org<https://nordicprivacy.org/>)