What is the ethical concern with deception in research?

The ethical concern with deception in research primarily revolves around the violation of the principle of informed consent and the erosion of trust between researchers and participants. Informed consent is a fundamental ethical guideline that ensures participants are fully aware of the nature of the research, including any potential risks, benefits, and the use of their data. When deception is used, participants are not given the complete information necessary to make an informed decision about their involvement. This lack of transparency can undermine trust not only in the specific study but also in the research community as a whole.

Trust is essential for effective research, as it influences participants' willingness to engage honestly and openly, impacting the quality of data collected. When participants believe they have been misled, it can lead to ethical violations and potentially harm the researchers' reputations, making future research more difficult. Therefore, ensuring that participants are fully informed and have the option to consent without deception is a critical consideration in ethical research practices.