What is the process called where participants learn about a study's purpose and any deceptions after the study has concluded?

The process where participants learn about a study's purpose and any deceptions after the study has concluded is known as debriefing. This is an essential ethical practice in research, particularly when participants have been subjected to any form of deception during the study. Debriefing serves to provide participants with a complete understanding of the study, clarifying the research goals, what was actually studied, and the reasons for any deceptive practices employed.

This practice not only helps to reassure participants about their contributions but also aids in mitigating any potential distress caused by misleading information during the experiment. It reinforces the integrity of the research process and fosters trust between researchers and participants. In contrast, informed consent refers to the process of providing potential participants with sufficient information about a study before their involvement, ensuring they understand what participation entails. Confidentiality pertains to the protection of participants' personal information, and sampling bias refers to errors related to how participants are selected for a study. Therefore, debriefing is specifically focused on the post-study communication and understanding of the research itself.