What is typically required of researchers to comply with ethical standards regarding participant information?

Researchers are required to obtain explicit consent from participants to respect their autonomy and privacy. This involves informing participants about the nature of the study, what their data will be used for, and how their privacy will be protected. By securing explicit consent, researchers ensure that participants are willingly participating in the research and that they understand the potential risks and benefits. This practice aligns with ethical standards set forth by institutional review boards and ethical guidelines in research, emphasizing the importance of respecting participants' rights and confidentiality.

The other options do not align with ethical research standards. Publicly sharing personal stories without consent breaches privacy, while publishing participant identities can lead to confidentiality violations. Collecting only demographic information does not inherently address the need for consent or ethical considerations regarding participants' personal data. Thus, explicit consent for the release of data is a crucial element in maintaining ethical integrity in research involving human participants.