Research participants' performance may be altered as a result of special attention given to them rather than because of any effect of the independent variable. This is called:

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The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where research participants alter their behavior simply because they are being observed or given special attention, rather than due to any effect of the independent variable being studied. This effect is named after a series of studies conducted at the Hawthorne Works plant in Illinois, where workers' productivity increased simply because they were being studied.

Research Participants' Performance May Be Altered as a Result of Special