Research data types

Please review the different types of information researchers may seek to collect, use, share and access based on the TCPS2.

Directly identifying information

The information identifies a specific individual through direct identifiers (e.g., name, social insurance number, personal health number).

Indirectly identifying information

The information can reasonably be expected to identify an individual through a combination of indirect identifiers (e.g., date of birth, place of residence or unique personal characteristic).

Coded information

Direct identifiers are removed from the information and replaced with a code. Depending on access to the code, it may be possible to re-identify specific participants (e.g., the principal investigator retains a list that links the participants’ code names with their actual name so data can be re-linked if necessary).

Anonymized information

The information is irrevocably stripped of direct identifiers, a code is not kept to allow future re-linkage, and risk of re-identification of individuals from remaining indirect identifiers is low or very low.

Anonymous information

The information never had identifiers associated with it (e.g., anonymous surveys) and risk of identification of individuals is low or very low.