Final answer:
The process of informing participants about the investigation's purpose and explaining the methods post-study is known as debriefing, which is done after the study, particularly if deception was used. Informed consent is obtained prior to the study, detailing expectations and ensuring voluntary participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of informing all participants about the purpose of an investigation and explaining why particular methods were used is known as debriefing. This step occurs after a study has been completed, especially in cases where deception has been employed. Deception is used in research to prevent participants' knowledge of the exact research question from affecting the results; for instance, not letting participants know that their opinions on someone's attire are being studied. Nevertheless, participants must receive a complete debriefing afterward to understand the experiment's purpose, methods used, and why deception was necessary. Prior to the commencement of a study, participants are required to sign an informed consent form, which outlines the expectations, risks, and implications of the research. This form assures that participation is voluntary, data remains confidential, and participants can withdraw at any time without penalty.