Guidance on Use of Deception and Incomplete Disclosure in Research

The purpose of this document is to assist researchers in addressing issues related to using deception in research with human subjects.




Central to the ethical standards governing the participation of human subjects in research is the notion of respect for persons.  This principle demands that subjects enter into the research voluntarily and with adequate information.  When deceptive methodologies are used, participants are given incomplete or misleading information about what to expect during the study activities which compromises their ability to give fully informed consent.  Ordinarily, research proposals failing to adhere to the principle of respect for persons by compromising the consent process would not be approved.  However, in unique circumstances where the study design requires omission of details that might alter the subject’s responses that are being investigated, vital information about the study or study activities can be withheld from subjects until after their participation. 

Deception and incomplete disclosure can be valuable research methods and studies involving the use of deception have resulted in significant contributions to science. However, the use of deceptive methodologies places a special burden of responsibility on researchers to provide scientific justification for the deception. Researchers must also provide the appropriate additional safeguards, beyond those safeguards normally in place, to protect the rights and welfare of participants. Researchers are urged to explore the literature within and outside of their field in order to fully understand the history and critical issues related to deceptive methods.