A researcher who is interested in effects of light intensity on test performance tells participants that the study is about memory duration. Different groups of participants have different levels of light in the room, but that variable isn't mentioned to them. What is this researcher trying to avoid by using a 'cover story' for participants?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The researcher is trying to avoid demand characteristics, which are cues in the study that may lead participants to guess the true purpose of the study and alter their behavior to fit what they think the researcher wants to see. By using a cover story, the researcher reduces the likelihood that participants will guess the true purpose of the study, thus reducing the potential influence of demand characteristics. Experimenter expectancy effects involve the researcher's conscious or unconscious biases affecting the study outcomes, and this is not addressed by using a cover story. Internal validity refers to the extent to which the study accurately tests the hypothesis, and test-retest reliability is concerned with the consistency of the study outcomes over time, neither of which are directly addressed by using a cover story.

A Researcher Who Is Interested in Effects of Light Intensity