Another issue that observers have to watch out for is the effects of the Hawthorne Effect. This concept is the inclination of some people to work harder and perform better when they are participants in an experiment and they know they are being watched. People may modify their behavior due to the consideration they are receiving from researchers rather than because of any exploitation of independent variables. It is thought that individual behaviors may be altered by the study itself, rather than the effects the study (Cherry, 2012).
Observer-expectancy is a methodical mistake formed in observational data by an observer's expectations or wishes. The error is strongly connected with observations of variables that necessitate subjective assessment. Such assessments are normal in some research, and an anticipation is more often than not intrinsic in hypothesis testing, a significant tool of predictive science. "Researchers in some disciplines that are sensitive to the problem commonly employ techniques such as blind experiments, film records, and inter-observer reliability checks to reduce or monitor the bias" (Balph & Romesbur, n.d.).
The...
There is either going to be bias on the side of the researcher or the participant. The key to working around this is for the researcher to acknowledge that this phenomenon exists and for them to put into place some mechanism for dealing with it. The last thing that a researcher wants to do is have their research validity questioned because of any bias that is present in their research.
References
Balph, D.F. & Romesbur, H.C. (n.d.). The Possible Impact of Observer Bias on Some Avian
Research. Retrieved from http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v103n04/p0831-
p0832.pdf
Cherry, K. (2012). Hawthorne Effect. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/hindex/g/def_hawthorn.htm
Measurement and Observer Effects. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.intropsych.com/ch01_psychology_and_science/measurement_and_observer_effects.html
Principles Supporting Qualitative Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cedu.niu.edu/~sorensen/502/powerpoint/topicD/qlnotes.htm
