Researchers find that being studied changes how people behave
In short: A systematic review of nineteen studies found that the Hawthorne effect—where people alter their behavior because they know they are being observed—is a real phenomenon. While most of the analyzed research took place within the health sciences, the review found evidence of behavioral changes across various study types, including randomized controlled trials and observational evaluations.
The review synthesized data from eight randomized controlled trials, five quasi-experimental studies, and six observational evaluations. While the findings suggest that research participation does influence the behaviors being investigated, the researchers noted that the high level of variety in study methods and contexts makes it difficult to determine the exact size or specific conditions of this effect.
Because the included studies were so diverse, the authors concluded that we lack a secure understanding of the mechanisms or magnitude of these changes.
Why it matters: Being aware that one is part of a study can change the very behavior researchers are trying to measure.
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