When Is It Acceptable to Deceive Research Participants?

Researchers at the Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research (SIRUS) were evaluating measures to reduce overserving and alcohol-related violence in Trondheim. To do this, they used the method of “invisible theatre.” This method involves setting up provocative situations, without participants knowing that what they are involved in is staged. The researcher participates and observes the environment without revealing her presence. In this research project, actors worked in pairs. One played overtly intoxicated, while the other played sober. The actors operated at the bar, testing whether they could order beer or not. The bartenders thus became participants in the research project without being informed or giving consent. In addition, they were subjected to provocation by the actor, which could be experienced as uncomfortable. A total of 99 performances were conducted at bars and clubs in Trondheim.

The researchers argued that it was necessary to use this method to answer the questions they were investigating. In a survey of the same bars visited by actors, 93% of respondents reported that “service to intoxicated individuals is stopped immediately.” The invisible theatre method, however, showed that four out of five bartenders serve people who are heavily intoxicated. It was argued that it is very important for these findings to be revealed, so that measures can be implemented to reduce overserving. In the report, both the establishments and the staff are anonymized.

Questions for discussion

• Is it acceptable to conduct a study that involves hidden observation and recording of others’ behavior without their consent? Why/why not?
• Overserving can be dangerous and potentially fatal. Does this make a difference, so that deception research can be considered acceptable?
• Does it matter that those being deceived are involved in their professional role rather than as private individuals?
• Should participants who were deceived be informed afterward that they took part in a research project?

Read more:

• Deception Research

Last reviewed by The National Committees for Research Ethics, 2025.