Debriefing

Debriefing is the process of explaining to research participants the general purpose of the research in which they have participated and answering questions they may have. It involves providing participants with the opportunity to obtain information about the nature of the study and the manipulations that were employed and correcting any misconceptions they may have. This entry looks at the reasons for debriefing and the steps taken during debriefing.

Both 45 CFR part 46, which are federal regulations dealing with the protection of human subjects, and the American Psychological Association require a debriefing when deception, either in the form of providing misleading information or failing to provide complete information, has been employed in a study. Although a debriefing is typically undertaken in a face-to-face interaction between ...