Deception in Research

Deception in research involves intentionally misleading participants about certain aspects of a study to prevent bias and ensure honest responses. This might include withholding full details of the experiment's purpose or using misleading information to avoid influencing behaviors. Ethical guidelines require that deception is only used when absolutely necessary, and researchers must ensure participants are debriefed afterward, fully explaining the true nature of the study. The goal is to balance scientific integrity with respect for participants’ rights, minimizing potential harm while obtaining valid, reliable results.