Best Practices in Using Secondary Analysis as a Method

Purpose: Health care researchers frequently use secondary data analysis as an efficient and cost-effective method to study large populations or multiple data sets relating to individual subjects. There are many issues related to the use of secondary data analysis, including both benefits and areas that are of more concern. The emergence of multiple data streams and concerns about subject privacy are current issues in use of the method. While data sets may be readily accessible or relatively restricted, health care researchers should be aware of issues and implications before using secondary analysis as a research method in the "internet age".

Methods: A literature review was conducted via three databases on the attributes of secondary data analysis and considerations in use of the method for health care research.

Results: There are issues in the use of secondary analysis as a method specifically pertinent to the increasing use and power of computer data bases and the increasing use of social media that may jeopardize anonymity of subjects. Current methods of informed consent may be inadequate for the “internet age”.

Conclusions: Ready access to social media may increase the risks of subjects being identified when using secondary data analysis. Any informed consent offering anonymity to subjects may need revision, and amalgamation of de-identified data may be necessary to protect subject privacy in health care research.