Participants told a study’s true purpose would not behave naturally

Evidence

Participants in social psychology studies are intelligent and inquisitive people who are responsive to what happens around them. Because of this, they are not always initially told the true purpose of a study. If they were told, they might not act naturally. Thus, researchers frequently need to be creative, presenting a credible rationale for complying with procedures, without revealing the study’s purpose. This rationale is known as a cover story, and is often an elaborate scenario. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4564 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Cover stories hide study purposes because informed participants would not act naturally — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4564; Hiding a study’s political focus prevents interviewees from performing false political interest — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 576

Broader Connections

• Cover stories hide study purposes because informed participants would not act naturally #expands (0.96) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4564