Which term denotes the protection of a sponsor's proprietary information and participant identities from unauthorized disclosure?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Compliance to Trials
• C. Contract
• D. Case Report Form (CRF)

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality means protecting identities and sponsor proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure. In a clinical trial, this involves limiting access to identifiable data to those who need it, using coding or anonymization, storing records securely, and sharing information only in authorized, permitted ways. This ethical and regulatory safeguard ensures participant privacy and protects sensitive sponsor information, separate from the physical data collection tool (the CRF) or the legal contract, and from the general concept of simply “following the rules.”