Question

What precautions should you take when considering completing a study involving deception?

Answer 1

The American Psychological Association (APA) code of ethics is very clear on when an how deception can be used in a research study. It states that the psychologist should not conduct a study involving deception unless they know that the study will have significant value scientifically, in education or applied value and when no other alternative methods can be used. The psychologist should not do a study which they know that will cause the subjects to undergo pain or emotional distress. The researchers should explain the deception which they have used in the study to the participants at the earliest, preferably soon after they have participated in the study, and debriefing should be done.