National Statement on Ethical
Conduct in Research Involving Humans
Part 17 - Research Involving Deception of Participants, Concealment or Covert Observation
17.1 As a general principle, deception of, concealment of the purposes of a study from, or covert observation of, identifiable participants are not considered ethical because they are contrary to the principle of respect for persons in that free and fully informed consent cannot be given.
17.2 In some fields of research, for example the study of human behaviour, there may be exceptional circumstances where studies cannot be conducted without deception, concealment or covert observation of participants. Before approving a research proposal which involves any degree of deception, concealment or covert observation, a Human Research Ethics Committee must be satisfied that:
(a) the provision of detailed information to prospective participants about the purpose, methods and procedures of the research would compromise the scientific validity of the outcome of that research;
(b) the precise extent of deception, concealment or covert observation is defined;
(c) there are no suitable alternative methods, not involving deception, concealment or covert observation, by which the desired information can be obtained;
(d) participants are not exposed to an increased risk of harm as a result of the deception, concealment or covert observation;
(e) adequate and prompt disclosure is made and de-briefing provided to each participant as soon as practicable after the participant's participation is completed;
(f) participants will be able to withdraw data obtained from them during the research without their knowledge or consent; and
(g) such activities will not corrupt the relationship between researchers and research in general with the community at large.
[Preamble] [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6]
[Part 7] [Part 8] [Part 9] [Part 10] [Part 11] [Part 12] [Part 13]
[Part 14] [Part 15] [Part 16] [Part 17] [Part 18] [Part 19]
[Appendix 1] [Appendix 2] [Appendix 3]