Which action would constitute both a breach of confidentiality and a violation of subjects' privacy?

The action that constitutes both a breach of confidentiality and a violation of subjects' privacy is disclosing identifiable sexual behavior data. Confidentiality refers to the obligation of researchers to protect the information provided by research participants, ensuring that their identities and information are kept secure. In the case of disclosing identifiable sexual behavior data, the researcher is revealing specific and sensitive information that can directly link back to an individual, thereby violating the promise of confidentiality and exposing that individual's private life.

In addition to breaching confidentiality, this action also violates privacy because individuals have a reasonable expectation that sensitive information regarding their sexual behavior will not be shared without their explicit consent. Respecting this expectation is crucial in maintaining the trust between researchers and participants, which is a foundational element of ethical research practices.

While other actions may involve ethical concerns, they do not necessarily encompass both breaches of confidentiality and violations of privacy to the same extent. For example, simply observing without informing participants may raise ethical issues regarding informed consent, but it does not directly involve disclosing sensitive information. Similarly, soliciting names or recording conversations without consent also has ethical implications, but the level of sensitivity and direct impact on privacy and confidentiality is more pronounced in the disclosure of identifiable sexual behavior data.