Sample Policy for the Use of Deception and Incomplete Disclosure in Research

I. To What Does This Policy Apply:

This policy defines the standards and parameters for the use of deception and incomplete disclosure in research.

II. Definitions:

Deception: Occurs when a researcher gives subjects false information about some aspect of the research.

Incomplete disclosure: Occurs when a researcher withholds information about the real purpose or nature of the research.

III. Policy Statement:

• This organization recognizes that the use of deception and incomplete disclosure in research are both valuable research techniques, yet they present special challenges to researchers to ensure that the research is conducted ethically. Deception and incomplete disclosure will only be used in research when necessary to prevent the confounding of the study data. Deceptive techniques will never be used to entice or lure a subject to participate by falsely representing the nature and purpose of the study. Further, subjects will not be deceived about aspects of the research which pose greater than minimal risk to the participants.
• If feasible in the context of the study design, potential participants will be advised in the consent form that the information they are given is not complete and they will also be debriefed after the research procedures are completed. The debriefing will include a detailed description of the ways in which deception was used. The researcher is responsible for ensuring that the subject leaves the research setting with an accurate understanding of the deception. The debriefing process, including any written materials, will be explained to the IRB as a part of the submitted protocol.
• The following statement, or some similar statement, should appear in every consent form/information sheet for studies involving deception:
  • "Research designs often require that the full intent of the study not be explained prior to participation. Although we have described the general nature of the tasks that you will be asked to perform, the full intent of the study will not be explained to you until after the completion of the study. At that time, we will provide you with a full debriefing which will include an explanation of the hypothesis that was tested and other relevant background information pertaining to the study. You will also be given an opportunity to ask any question you might have about the hypothesis and the procedures used in the study."
• Debriefing may not be advisable in certain limited situations, for example if the research reveals information about the subject that the s/he might find disturbing (such as a personality disorders, aggressive behavior tendencies, etc.) In such cases, the principal investigator will weigh the possible harm to the subjects and will provide justification for foregoing the debriefing in the protocol submitted to the IRB. The IRB's decision in this regard will be binding.

References: University of Connecticut, Storrs, IRB Guidebook

DEPARTMENT: Yale University
POLICY NUMBER:
SECTION: IRB Policies for Research Affiliate Institutions
REVIEW RESPONSIBILITY: IRB Leadership and Research Collaborators
ORIGINAL CREATION DATE: April 14, 2005
REVISION DATES: August 13, 2005

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