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Nursing QUESTION #9212
Question 1
In a research study, internal validity is THREATENED by the Hawthorne Effect. What does this mean?
  • Participants drop out of the study because the intervention is too demanding
  • Participants change their behavior simply because they know they are being observed✔️
  • The measurement tool produces inconsistent results over time
  • The control group receives a less effective form of treatment
Correct Answer Explanation
Correct Answer: B

The Hawthorne Effect (named after Western Electric's Hawthorne Works studies in the 1920s-30s) occurs when participants alter their behavior simply due to the awareness of being observed or studied — not due to the actual intervention.

Threats to Internal Validity in research:
  • Hawthorne Effect: Behavior change due to observation
  • History: External events occurring during the study
  • Maturation: Participants change naturally over time
  • Testing Effect: Taking a pre-test affects post-test performance
  • Instrumentation: Changes in measurement tools or observers
  • Attrition: Participants dropping out (mortality bias)
  • Selection Bias: Non-equivalent groups at the start
Blinding and control groups help minimize the Hawthorne Effect in nursing research.