Why do researchers go to great lengths to create cover stories and devise elaborate situations in their studies to cover up the true purpose of the study?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

People may behave differently when they know they are being observed or are part of a study, even if they are asked to be as genuine as possible. To elicit natural and genuine responses, researchers use cover stories and elaborate situations to avoid participants from knowing about the true purpose of the study. This is called deception, which must be used judiciously and only when there are no other feasible alternatives. It is not about tricking, rather, it is about making sure the study is as valid and reliable as possible.

Why Do Researchers Go to Great Lengths to Create Cover