Which of the following is NOT an accepted guideline for ethical research in psychology?

• A. Researchers may intentionally deceive participants without providing any debriefing after the study.
• B. Researchers should ensure the confidentiality and privacy of participants' data.
• C. Participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
• D. Participants must be informed about the nature of the research and provide consent before participating.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core principles of ethical research in psychology, which include respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. These principles guide the development of ethical guidelines.
2. Step 2: Review the common accepted ethical guidelines such as informed consent, confidentiality, the right to withdraw, and the necessity of debriefing, especially when deception is involved.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option in the problem: determine if it aligns with these ethical principles. For example, informed consent requires participants to be informed about the research before participation.
4. Step 4: Recognize that intentional deception is sometimes allowed but must be followed by a thorough debriefing to explain the true nature of the study and to alleviate any potential harm or misunderstanding.
5. Step 5: Identify the statement that violates these guidelines—specifically, the one that allows deception without any debriefing, which is not accepted in ethical psychological research.