Identifying Ethical Violations in Research

Before conducting research, psychologists must adhere to ethical guidelines set forth by various organizations to ensure the safety and rights of participants. These guidelines include principles such as informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw. Another essential aspect of ethical research is the debriefing process, where participants are informed about the study's purpose and any deception that may have been involved. However, circumstances occasionally arise where ethical considerations may conflict with research objectives.

Given these principles, which of the following actions would most likely violate ethical guidelines in psychological research?