Health Sciences Interest Group

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Charge: An opportunity for academic librarians with health sciences responsibilities to have a place in ACRL to network, share information, ask questions, and work on special projects relevant to the academic health sciences.
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  • 1.  Site Anonymity for DNP Projects

    Posted Apr 21, 2025 11:02 AM

    I have question about site anonymity from a faculty member in nursing in the context of DNP projects that are posted in our open access thesis and dissertation repository, I've copied and pasted here to capture their train of thought, thanks in advance for feedback:

     

    "I'm wondering if you can share your recommendations on site anonymity for our DNP papers that are being submitted in the ETD. 

    We have students that are trying to finish their final paper to submit in OhioLink that have content and references to their site, including informed consent, IRB approval, and referenced resources.

    We have not had students in the past with so many components linked to their site...Obviously, the student can remove the descriptors in the paper, but what about the other components.

    What is the recommendation for these appendices and references?"

     

     

    Anita J. Slack, MA, MLIS, AHIP

    Life & Health Sciences Librarian, Assistant Professor

    University Libraries, Kent State University

    330-672-1658

     

     



  • 2.  RE: Site Anonymity for DNP Projects

    Posted 25 days ago

    Hi Anita,

    I recommend removing anything that can identify the site from text and references, but students still should be able to generally discuss the site in the text of the paper.  I don't know what citation style your students are using but, the APA style manual has a very short statement that specifically notes what to do (section 8.36; p. 278; Quotations From Research Participants) - "Agreements regarding confidentiality and/or anonymity may also extend to other sources related to your methodology....These sources would not be cited in text or listed in the reference list because dong so would compromise the school's confidentiality and/or anonymity.  However, it may be possible to discuss information from these sources in the text if the material is suitably disguised."

    Using this, I frequently talk with students about how to anonymize - e.g. note that there was an IRB, but not where is was approved; note the size and general geographic location of agency; talk about the mission of the institution, but not direct quote it; etc.

    Yours,

    Carrie

    Carrie Fry
    Nursing and Health Science Librarian
    University of San Diego



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    Carrie Fry
    Nursing & Health Sciences Librarian
    University of San Diego
    Copley Library
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    Original Message