The Anonymity of Research Participants: Assumptions, Ethics and Practicalities the British Sociological Association Code of Ethical Practice Adopts a Similar Stance

Anne Grinyer is a lecturer in the Institute for Health Research and in the School of Independent Studies at Lancaster University. She is a sociologist of health and illness and has a special interest in the construction of scientific and medical knowledge, the management of health risks and in qualitative research methods. She has recently written a book on young adults with cancer based on narrative data written by their parents. • Anonymity for respondents/participants is assumed to be an integral feature of ethical research • The legal requirements of the Data Protection Act assume anonymity should be maintained wherever possible University of Surrey Sociology at Surrey