Other Titles

Using Technologies to Influence Care

Abstract

Session presented on Saturday, July 25, 2015:

Purpose: Health care researchers frequently use secondary data analysis as an efficient and cost-effective method to study large populations or multiple data sets relating to individual subjects. There are many issues related to the use of secondary data analysis, including both benefits and areas that are of more concern. The emergence of multiple data streams and concerns about subject privacy are current issues in use of the method. While data sets may be readily accessible or relatively restricted, health care researchers should be aware of issues and implications before using secondary analysis as a research method in the "internet age".

Methods: A literature review was conducted via three databases on the attributes of secondary data analysis and considerations in use of the method for health care research.

Results: There are issues in the use of secondary analysis as a method specifically pertinent to the increasing use and power of computer data bases and the increasing use of social media that may jeopardize anonymity of subjects. Current methods of informed consent may be inadequate for the 'internet age'.

Conclusions: Ready access to social media may increase the risks of subjects being identified when using secondary data analysis. Any informed consent offering anonymity to subjects may need revision, and amalgamation of de-identified data may be necessary to protect subject privacy in health care research.

Author Details

Katharine A. Green, APRN, CNM, MS

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Secondary Analysis, Research Method

Conference Name

26th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Conference Year

2015

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Best practices in using secondary analysis as a method

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Session presented on Saturday, July 25, 2015:

Purpose: Health care researchers frequently use secondary data analysis as an efficient and cost-effective method to study large populations or multiple data sets relating to individual subjects. There are many issues related to the use of secondary data analysis, including both benefits and areas that are of more concern. The emergence of multiple data streams and concerns about subject privacy are current issues in use of the method. While data sets may be readily accessible or relatively restricted, health care researchers should be aware of issues and implications before using secondary analysis as a research method in the "internet age".

Methods: A literature review was conducted via three databases on the attributes of secondary data analysis and considerations in use of the method for health care research.

Results: There are issues in the use of secondary analysis as a method specifically pertinent to the increasing use and power of computer data bases and the increasing use of social media that may jeopardize anonymity of subjects. Current methods of informed consent may be inadequate for the 'internet age'.

Conclusions: Ready access to social media may increase the risks of subjects being identified when using secondary data analysis. Any informed consent offering anonymity to subjects may need revision, and amalgamation of de-identified data may be necessary to protect subject privacy in health care research.