What does deductive disclosure refer to?

Deductive disclosure occurs when an individual's identity can be inferred from the information they provide, especially when their answers to multiple questions collectively contribute to a unique profile. This situation can arise in research contexts where responses are specific enough that, when combined with other known data, they allow for the identification of individuals. This is particularly relevant in qualitative research or detailed surveys, where participant demographics and answers may narrow down the possibilities of who the participant might be, especially in small or unique populations.

In this context, the correct choice highlights the risk of privacy breaches in research and emphasizes the importance of anonymizing data and carefully considering how collected information might lead to the identification of individual respondents.