My research requires the use of deception. What do I need to know?
If the true purpose of the experiment, or other similar information is altered, then deception is used. If your study involves deception, then your ethics application should include a description of the nature of the deception, why it must be used, and the procedures that will be used to protect the participants (e.g., explanation in the debriefing of the nature of the deception and why it was necessary, such as getting participants’ natural responses). Moreover, your debriefing form must explain clearly what was the nature of the deception as well as provide the reasons why it was necessary to use this method. In addition, the Psych-REB (as well as APA guidelines) requires that once the true purpose of the study is revealed at the end of the study, that the researchers must explicitly offer participants the opportunity to withdraw their data from the study (see Appendix E for the consent to use data form).