The term "debriefing" is used in two ways in research with human subjects at Duke. Debriefing may refer to:

1. The federal requirement that waived elements of informed consent be provided to subjects at the end of a study, or
   
   
2. The process for making participation in research an educational experience for Duke students, even when all the elements of informed consent are included in the consent process
   

The Federal debriefing requirement

Debriefing as an educational tool

Undergrad ute Psychology Subject Pool requirement

Other Duke Students

When immediate debriefing might compromise study results

The Federal Debriefing Requirement

When required elements of informed consent are waived or altered by the IRB, in accordance with criteria provided in the regulations, subjects must be debriefed at the end of the study, when appropriate.

For example, an IRB may waive the requirement for full disclosure when a study involves deception. The debriefing process would, at minimum, provide an explanation about why it was necessary to deceive the subjects in order to meet the scientific goals of the study and the value of the science. Additional information may also be required. For example, if subjects were given false information about themselves during the course of the study, the debriefing would need to include convincing statements about the inaccuracy of the information.

As noted above, debriefing must occur "when appropriate." It is rarely inappropriate. However, it may be inappropriate when:

1. Debriefing regarding deception may cause more harm than the deception itself.
   
   For example, if a student is selected for participation in a study about group behavior based previously measured "negative" individual characteristics, it might not be appropriate for the debriefing to describe the selection process. All the members of the group might wonder if they were the identified student with negative characteristics.
   
   
2. The entire informed consent process as been waived.
   
   For example, a study of homeless children might receive a waiver of the requirement for parental permission.

Debriefing As an Educational Tool

Duke Undergraduate Psychology Subject Pool

When investigators use the Duke Undergraduate Psychology Subject Pool, they are required to make participation in research an educational experience for the students, as follows:

"Feedback (at the end of the experiment): Be sure to provide a simple, clear, and informative explanation of the experiment's purpose and the methods that were used. Remember that the primary rationale for the Subject Pool is to teach students about psychological research. Ask for and answer students’ questions. In rare cases where it is not possible to provide feedback/debriefing at the end of a particular session, you must make arrangements to do so before the end of the semester and/or get students’ addresses or e-mail addresses and send them a written debriefing."

Other Students

Consistent with the educational mission of the University, it is expected that when students are research subjects they will be provided with a thorough explanation of the purpose and methods of the study. Requests to omit debriefing will be considered by the IRB.

When Debriefing Would Compromise Study Results

If a study requiring debriefing will run over several days or weeks, subjects who have completed the study might tell others about it. If they have been debriefed and thus know the real purpose of study activities, they might share that information with prospective subjects, thus compromising the scientific validity of the study. There are several strategies to handle this situation.

If names and addresses are collected as part of the study debriefing information can be sent when the study is complete.

If names and contact information are not collected researchers can:

• Give subjects a URL where they can get debriefing information and a date upon which it will be available.
• Have each participant address an envelop to themselves before they leave the study session and send them debriefing information when the research is completed.