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Asked by: Carlita Cezon
music and audio science and medicine podcastsWhy is the Hawthorne Effect relevant to unobtrusive approaches?
The Hawthorne effect, which occurs when research subjects alter their behaviors because they know they are being studied, is not a risk in unobtrusive research as it is in other methods of data collection.
Moreover, what is the primary purpose of using an unobtrusive measure?
In research, an unobtrusive measure is a method of making observations without the knowledge of those being observed. Unobtrusive measures are designed to minimize a major problem in social research, which is how a subject's awareness of the research project affects behavior and distorts research results.
In this way, what is an example of unobtrusive research?
Unobtrusive measures are contrasted with interviews and questionnaires, in that they try to find indirect ways to obtain the necessary data. The unobtrusive approach often seeks unusual data sources, such as garbage, graffiti and obituaries, as well as more conventional ones such as published statistics.
Unobtrusive research is cost effective and allows for easier correction of mistakes than other methods of data collection do. Weaknesses of unobtrusive research include potential problems with validity, limitations in data availability, and difficulty in accounting for social context.