Anonymity has been a major focus for the project being passed by the ethics committee at UCL. We have ensured that the anonymity and security of schools is protected by the following actions:
- Only the principal researchers and project management team at Gallomanor will be able to identify an individual school and that any published output will not allow identification of any participant through deductive disclosure.
- Data will be collected and stored via a secure online password protected system.
- As part of the training packs, all teachers will be briefed about the fact that personal data on pupils should not be collected or discussed in classrooms. It will also be emphasized that no child should at any point have to disclose any personal reasons for a school absence.
- Message boards will be moderated and inappropriate or potentially confidential information will be removed. Schools and pupils will be anonymous on the message boards which will be closed to the general public.
