We’ve had an interesting question come up during an
ethical review of a research project.
The researcher is an occupational health nurse for a private
company. She wants to research the effects of exposure to certain
chemicals on the reproductive health of those exposed. The requirements
for someone to be eligible to participate in the project are quite rigorous;
for instance, women who are taking the Pill would not be included.
The researcher proposes to find possible participants by
trawling through the occupational health records at her company, and notifying
those employees who meet the requirements.
My feeling is that this would violate principles 1 and 2 of
the DPA, at least. I’m not familiar with other legislation that might
affect the uses to which these records can be put. Can anyone help me out
on this?
Thanks,
Mary
F. Liddell
Information
Access Officer
Brunel
University