Deceptive Research

 

Any research that is deceptive requires Full Board review. Research activities that do not fully disclose the purpose of the research to the subjects are considered "deceptive." Any deceptive research should be carefully weighed in terms of the justification for the need to deceive the subject and alternative methods for conducting the research that does not involve deception. The IRB will decide if the information being withheld from the subjects is an important element in the subject's decision to participate. If the IRB decides that the information being withheld is an important element, then the research will not be approved. At a minimum, subjects must be informed in a consent form that full information is not being disclosed to them. Any research involving deception must involve a full debriefing.