At the end of an experiment, researchers sometimes ask participants to guess the purpose of the experiment. This step serves to detect:
A) participant characteristics.
B) the Hawthorne effect.
C) individual differences.
D) demand characteristics.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking participants to guess the purpose of the experiment is a way to detect demand characteristics, which are cues in the experimental design that reveal the hypothesis or expected outcome to participants and can influence their behavior or responses. By asking participants to guess the purpose, researchers can identify any potential demand characteristics that may have affected the results.

At the End of an Experiment, Researchers Sometimes Ask Participants