Guidance on anonymization and pseudonymization of qualitative text-based research data : translated and adapted version of the Qualiservice Working Paper QS-WP-5-2023, status: 2023

Abstract

With this guideline, we demonstrate ways in which qualitative text-based research materials can be anonymized or pseudonymized, ensuring that the personal rights of participants are protected while also enabling scientific reuse. We take ethical and data protection aspects into account and present practical instructions and application examples for anonymizing or pseudonymizing qualitative text-based research materials. We illustrate approaches to replacing personal information and advocate for a sensitive approach that aims to preserve the reuse value of a dataset as much as possible, while avoiding both under- and over-anonymization. To support efficient implementation, Qualiservice has developed the anonymization tool QualiAnon for text-based research data in collaboration with researchers. The tool is freely available for use and is also introduced in this guideline.QS-WP-9-202