NCJ Number
30415
Date Published
1975
Length
116 pages
Annotation
WHILE ACCEPTING THE NECESSITY OF COLLECTING PERSONAL DATA FOR EVALUATION EFFORTS, THE AUTHORS BELIEVE THAT WAYS CAN AND MUST BE FOUND TO EVALUATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE PRIVACY OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE DATA.
Abstract
THIS REPORT DISCUSSES THE REASONING BEHIND THE FOLLOWING TWO RECOMMENDATIONS. FIRST, THEY RECOMMEND THAT ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES ENGAGING IN EVALUATION RESEARCH ADOPT RIGOROUS PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT DATA COLLECTED ABOUT INDIVIDUALS IN THE COURSE OF SUCH RESEARCH ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND ARE NOT USED FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN SUCH RESEARCH OR RELEASED IN ANY WAY THAT PERMITS IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS. SECONDLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO ENACTMENT OF A FEDERAL STATUTE THAT WOULD PROTECT FROM SUBPOENA INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM INDIVIDUALS IN THE COURSE OF FEDERAL EVALUATION RESEARCH AND THUS PREVENT SUCH INFORMATION FROM BEING USED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF FILE ACCESS AND INTERFILE EXCHANGE AND A MODEL STATUTE TO PROTECT RESEARCHERS AGAINST THE COMPULSORY DISCLOSURE OF RESEARCH DATA.