Which of the following statements is accurate?
A) to guard against the "Hawthorne effect" in medical research scientists will give a placebo to the experimental group
B) to guard against the "Hawthorne effect" in medical research scientists will give the experimental group the independent variable
C) to guard against the "Hawthorne effect" in medical research scientists will give a placebo to the control group
D) there is no way to guard against the "Hawthorne effect" in medical research

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne effect refers to the tendency of participants in a study to alter their behavior simply because they are aware that they are being studied. This can affect the validity of the study results. To guard against this effect, researchers may give a placebo (i.e. a fake medication or treatment) to the control group, which allows them to compare the effects of the independent variable against a baseline. Giving the experimental group the independent variable (choice B) would not guard against the Hawthorne effect, as both groups would still be aware that they are being studied. Choice A is incorrect because the placebo is typically given to the control group, not the experimental group. Choice D is incorrect because while the Hawthorne effect can never be completely eliminated, researchers can take steps to minimize its impact.

Which of the Following Statements Is Accurate