What additional safeguard can be included in a social and behavioral study?

Removing direct identifiers from the data as soon as possible is a crucial safeguard in social and behavioral research because it helps protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants. By eliminating identifiable information, researchers minimize the risk of unintended disclosures and prevent the possibility of re-identifying individuals based on the data collected. This action aligns with ethical research practices that prioritize participant protection and adhere to regulations concerning data privacy.

Moreover, early removal of identifiers ensures that even if the data were to be accessed inappropriately, it would not link back to individual participants, thus mitigating harm. This practice is part of a broader strategy for data anonymization, which is fundamental in research design to maintain trust and encourage participant engagement.