Which of the following describes deception in research?

Deception in research refers specifically to the practice of providing false information to participants regarding the purpose or procedures of a study. This can include misleading participants about aspects of the study or the true nature of what is being examined. Such practices are sometimes deemed necessary to ensure that the study's findings are not biased by participants' awareness of the true purpose or hypotheses being tested.

In the context of ethical research, the use of deception must be carefully considered. Researchers must ensure that it is justified, that it does not cause harm, and that participants are debriefed afterward to clarify any misinformation provided. This helps uphold ethical standards while allowing researchers to investigate psychological processes without participant responses being influenced by their understanding of a study's aims.

The other options—such as involving participants in a lottery, offering incentives for participation, and maintaining privacy of participant data—do not pertain to the definition of deception. While these practices may be relevant to research ethics and participant engagement, they do not involve the provision of false information. In fact, maintaining privacy and providing information about participation incentives are important for informed consent and ethical research practices.