Deception and incomplete disclosure

Ethical considerations surrounding deception and incomplete disclosure

This information is partly taken from the following source: http://cphs.berkeley.edu/deception.pdf

Under some circumstances, deception and incomplete disclosure may be valuable research methodologies. Importantly, however, their use presents special challenges to conducting ethical research.

The problem

Deception or incomplete disclosure may in some cases be necessary to avoid study bias or test a hypothesis that requires the participant’s misdirection. However, the concept of informed consent from research participants requires full disclosure of all elements relevant to the subject’s participation in the research. Deception and incomplete disclosure may therefore interfere with the ability of the participant to make a fully informed decision about whether or not to participate in the research.
 
Thus, proposed research involving deception or incomplete disclosure necessitates special considerations by researchers, and by the LEL Ethics Committee. To determine whether research can proceed, it is important to consider the extent to which the deception in a given study interferes with the participant’s ability to give informed consent. This includes distinguishing whether “deception” or only “incomplete disclosure” (without deception) is involved, whether there is sufficient justification for use of such measures, and whether there is an appropriate consent and debriefing process in place.
 

Definitions and examples

  1. Deception occurs when an investigator gives false information to subjects or intentionally misleads them about some key aspect of the research. (This is sometimes referred to as “active deception.”)
  2. Incomplete disclosure occurs when an investigator withholds information about the specific purpose, nature, or other aspect of the research. Withholding information may or may not be considered deception.
 Examples of deception:
 
  • The subject is given a “cover story” which falsely describes the purpose of the study, but provides a feasible account of the researcher’s objective.
  • The study includes a researcher’s “confederate,” an individual who poses as a participant, but whose behaviour in the study is actually part of the researcher’s experimental design.
  • Covert observation, in which participants are not aware they are being studied.
Example of incomplete disclosure:
 
  • The subject is informed about the purpose of the study or a certain procedure in general terms that are true, but not detailed enough to reveal the researcher’s main or specific objective.
  • The subject is informed about the purpose of study in general terms that are true, but details of the study which do not affect data collection are omitted (for example, because they are too complex to explain in terms the subject would readily understand).
Example of incomplete disclosure that is also deception:
 
  • The study involves audiotaping or videotaping of subjects without their knowledge or prior consent.

Guidance for researchers and LEL regulations

Please consider carefully whether your study involves deception or incomplete disclosure.

Incomplete disclosure (without deception) is typically fine, and will not result in any special review by the LEL ethics committee.

If your study involves deception, please consider whether this is necessary for your research, and whether it has ethical implications. If so, you must indicate that your study uses deception in your ethics application. This will lead to additional scrutiny by the committee.

Please note that not telling participants that you are conducting research involving them (i.e., covert observation) is a type of deception.

Incomplete disclosure that is also deception is unlikely to pass ethical review.