During a Data Collection Project by a Marketing Research Firm

During a data collection project by a marketing research firm, the respondents were not informed about the real purpose of the study.Recognizing the ethical implications of this act, the firm halts the research project.It then holds a meeting to find an ethical way of going forward with the project.In which of the following stages of ethical decision making does this action by the firm occur?

A) Identifying issues
B) Promoting the firm's corporate social responsibility efforts
C) Gathering information and identifying stakeholders
D) Brainstorming and evaluating alternatives
E) Choosing a course of action