“It's important to me to be known”: A critical commentary calling for anonymity to be a considered research practice

In this critical commentary I reflect on and explore the practice of anonymising research participants. This commentary is grounded in a quote from a participant within my research who expressed a specific wish to be known. Using this quote, I explore the complexities related to participant anonymity within research, including considerations of paternalism, acknowledgment of contributions, risks of abuse, and understanding of research outputs. I present participant anonymity as neither good nor bad, but as complex. I call for a shift in practice related to participant anonymity, from an assumed norm to a considered research practice. I conclude this commentary with some reflective prompts to facilitate this consideration.