The modification of behaviour by study participants in response to their knowledge that they are being observed or singled out for special treatment is known as:

1. A

   Reactive effect

2. B

   Hawthorne effect

3. C

   Novelty effect

4. D

   Experimental effect

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

• The Hawthorne effect is the specific term for the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed.
• This effect was first identified during experiments at the Hawthorne Works factory, where worker productivity increased regardless of the changes made to their environment, simply because they were being studied.
• It highlights that the act of observation itself can be an intervention that influences outcomes, separate from the variable being tested.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The reactive effect is a general term that describes any change in a participant's behavior due to being part of a study. The Hawthorne effect is a more specific and appropriate term for the phenomenon described in the question.
• Option C: The novelty effect relates to a temporary change in behavior resulting from the introduction of a new or unusual element or intervention, not from the awareness of being observed.
• Option D: The experimental effect, or experimenter bias, refers to how a researcher's expectations or subtle, unintentional actions can influence the study's outcome. It is about the researcher's influence, not the participant's reaction to being observed.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Knowing Research methodology and observer effects helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
• Understanding the Hawthorne effect is crucial for nurses conducting or participating in quality improvement projects, such as observing hand hygiene compliance, medication administration accuracy, or documentation practices.
• Awareness of this effect helps ensure that data collected during observations is interpreted cautiously, recognizing that the observed behavior might be better than the typical, unobserved behavior.
• What if? If a hospital implements a new electronic health record (EHR) and observes nurses' charting efficiency, any initial improvement might be due to the novelty effect (new system) or the Hawthorne effect (being observed), rather than the EHR's inherent efficiency. To differentiate, data should be collected over a longer period after the initial implementation and observation phase.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core concept in the question stem: participants changing behavior because they know they are being watched.
• Recall the definitions of common biases and effects in research methodology.
• Compare the provided options. 'Reactive effect' is a broad term. 'Hawthorne effect' is a specific type of reactive effect directly related to observation.
• Differentiate the Hawthorne effect from the 'Novelty effect' (reaction to newness) and 'Experimental effect' (researcher's influence).
• Select the most specific and accurate term that matches the scenario described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Research methodology and observer effects
• Stem keywords: modification of behaviour, study participants, being observed, special treatment
• Lead-in keywords: is known as
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QUzL3gb4S6DwafRLEsjp-n

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 NursingResearch Polit 11e Part 1 p. 202-204

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 52-54