This study examined research reports published in the interpersonal areas of psychology from 1939 to 1989, focusing on authors' descriptions of the relationship between investigators and research participants. Analysis of 3001 articles published at 10-year intervals in seven US journals and one Canadian showed that researchers employed participants as data sources only and typically did not report consent, debriefing or feedback; authors generally described participants but not data collectors and settings, heavily used the term `subjects' and seldom acknowledged participants. Overall, hierarchical research and depersonalized reporting prevailed. The findings also illuminate the historical role of women researchers and participants' gender and underscore recommendations for including social and ethical processes in journal reports.
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