Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of deception in current research studies? The use of deception:

Question

a. in studies is no longer approved by Institutional Review Boards.
b. involves not telling a subject if he or she is in the control or intervention group.
c. is the same thing as using covert methods of data collection.
d. violates the right of self-determination.

Answer 1

ANS: D
The use of deception violates the subject's right to self-determination, or the right to decide if willing to be in a study, based on full disclosure of the intent of the study, risks, and benefits of participating in the study.
Because the use of deception is considered unethical, its use is no longer approved by Institutional Review Boards.
Blind studies, in which the subject is unaware if he or she is in a control or intervention group, is common practice, and allows for unbiased results. As long as participants are informed before becoming part of the study that they may either be in a control or intervention group, no deception occurred.
Covert methods of data collection, such as unobserved monitoring, is often used when subject behavior may be altered by the presence of the researcher. As long as participants are informed before becoming part of the study that they may be observed in a different manner or by someone other than the researcher, no deception occurred.