Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What should be considered before beginning a research project involving personally identifiable information?

1. Data privacy and marketing regulations

2. Privacy Act Statements and SORNs

3. Ethical implications of the research

4. Only the research methodology

The correct answer is: Privacy Act Statements and SORNs

The correct consideration before beginning a research project involving personally identifiable information is the relevance of Privacy Act Statements and SORNs, which stands for System of Records Notices. This is critical because these statements outline how an organization will handle the information obtained from individuals, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. They serve to inform participants about what data is collected, how it will be used, and what rights they have regarding their personal information, thus fostering transparency and trust. In research contexts, understanding and applying these requirements is fundamental for maintaining the confidentiality and security of personal data, as well as ensuring that the research adheres to appropriate ethical standards. This not only protects the rights of individuals whose data is being used but also shields the researcher and the organization from potential legal repercussions by ensuring compliance with federal laws governing data privacy. While considerations such as data privacy and marketing regulations, ethical implications of the research, and research methodology are indeed significant, the primary focus in the context of personally identifiable information typically pivots to the requirements set forth by the Privacy Act and corresponding notices. These elements are foundational to maintaining compliance with privacy laws and are essential in the initial stages of planning for research involving sensitive data.