Is it true that research data for a third party that is easily traceable to a particular student can violate FERPA?

Research data for a third party that can be easily traced back to a specific student can indeed violate FERPA, which stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA protects the privacy of student education records, and it restricts the disclosure of personally identifiable information without written consent from the parent or eligible student.

When research data includes information that can directly identify a student, such as names, social security numbers, or other identifying details, it poses a risk of breaching confidentiality. This is especially critical because it could lead to unauthorized access or misuse of that sensitive information. Thus, any data that is traceable to a student must be handled with care and in compliance with FERPA regulations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining student privacy in educational research contexts.