Understanding Behaviour Changes in Research Participants

The question asks about a specific phenomenon in research where the subjects change their behaviour or performance not because of the experimental treatment or stimulus being applied, but due to other factors related to being part of the study itself.

This is a well-documented effect in research methodology, particularly in social sciences and organizational studies.

Identifying the Correct Effect: The Hawthorne Effect

Let's examine the options provided:

• The Hawthorne effect: This term refers to the tendency of individuals to modify an aspect of their behaviour in response to their awareness of being observed. It originated from studies conducted at the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works in Cicero, Illinois, during the 1920s and 1930s. Researchers observed that workers' productivity improved regardless of the changes made to their working conditions (like lighting levels), simply because they were receiving attention and knew they were part of a study. This directly matches the description in the question.
• The Glenn effect: This is not a widely recognized term in research methodology describing the phenomenon in the question.
• The Fischer effect: This is not a widely recognized term in research methodology describing the phenomenon in the question. There is a "Fisher effect" in economics (relation between nominal and real interest rates and inflation), but it is unrelated to research participant behaviour.
• The Kerlinger effect: Fred N. Kerlinger was a prominent educational psychologist and researcher known for his work on research methodology and statistical analysis. While important in the field, "The Kerlinger effect" is not a standard term for the phenomenon described in the question.

Based on the definitions, The Hawthorne effect precisely describes the situation where subjects alter their behaviour because they know they are part of a study, irrespective of the experimental manipulation itself.

Detailed Explanation of The Hawthorne Effect

The Hawthorne effect highlights the importance of psychological factors in research. Key aspects include:

• Awareness of Observation: Participants know they are being watched or studied, which influences their actions.
• Attention and Recognition: Feeling special or attended to by researchers can motivate participants to perform better or differently.
• Demand Characteristics: Participants might try to guess what the researchers expect or want to see and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
• Novelty Effect: The initial excitement or interest in participating in a new study can temporarily boost performance.

Researchers need to be aware of the Hawthorne effect as it can confound results, making it difficult to determine if changes in the outcome are due to the experimental intervention or simply the effect of being in the study. Techniques like using control groups, blinding (where appropriate), or conducting unobtrusive research can help mitigate this effect.

Therefore, when research subjects improve or change their behaviour simply because they are part of a study and are being observed, this phenomenon is known as The Hawthorne effect.

Revision Table: Key Research Terms

Additional Information on Research Effects

While the Hawthorne effect is prominent, other effects can influence research outcomes:

• Placebo Effect: A positive outcome occurs because a participant believes a treatment will work, even if it's inactive (like a sugar pill).
• Pygmalion Effect (or Rosenthal Effect): Higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. For example, if a teacher expects students to do well, those students may perform better.
• Halo Effect: The overall impression of a person influences how their specific traits are judged.

Understanding these potential biases and effects is crucial for designing sound research studies and interpreting findings accurately. The Hawthorne effect specifically deals with the alteration of participant behaviour simply due to their role as study subjects.