Research aims to draw conclusions about relationships among variables. There are a number of threats to validity-factors that interfere with making reliable and clear conclusions. Which of the following is a threat to external validity?
A)The Hawthorne effect
B)The Rosenthal effect
C)Diffusion
D)Contact with clients

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne effect is a threat to external validity. Threats to external validity are factors that interfere with the ability of research to determine if results can be generalized to the population. The Hawthorne effect is a specific example of the threat of reactivity (which is a type of contextual characteristic threat). Reactivity involves subjects behaving in certain ways because they know they are being observed.

Research Aims to Draw Conclusions About Relationships Among Variables