UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Debriefing is an ethical step taken after participants have completed their involvement in a study, especially when deception or incomplete disclosure was used. During debriefing, researchers explain the true purpose of the research, clarify any misleading information and answer participants’ questions. This helps restore trust and ensures that participants leave without misconceptions or distress. Because the stem refers to providing a full explanation of the true purpose after participation, debriefing is the correct term.

Option A:
Anonymity concerns whether researchers can link responses to individual identities and is not about post-study explanations. While both relate to ethics, anonymity does not describe the process mentioned in the question.

Option B:
Confidentiality focuses on protecting participants’ personal information from being disclosed to others, not on giving explanations after the study. Therefore, confidentiality is not the appropriate completion here.

Option C:
Briefing typically refers to giving initial instructions or information before a study or task, which is the opposite temporal sequence to what the stem describes. Since the question is about explanations given after participation, briefing is not correct.

Option D:
Debriefing allows participants to understand why certain procedures were used, including any necessary deception, and offers them an opportunity to withdraw their data if they feel uncomfortable. This process upholds respect for persons and aligns exactly with the description in the stem.