Well I expect the Hawthorne Effect to account for some inaccuracy in the results of our surveying. I am doing my research on peoples recycling habits in the Machias area and for example I expect when I ask people how often they recycle that I will some times get a participant of the survey that will say that they recycle more often then they do because they assume that we want them to recycle more.
In the homeless study a possible "Hawthorne Effect" could possibly happen. If we interviewed someone who is homeless and ask about experiences that might have led to their homelessness, they may make a realization and try to better themselves, or better their children from the mistakes that could be made. Or if the interviewee hadn't tried to get help before, like from a shelter, then they may try after opening up in the interview. Almost like an eye-opener.
Well in our project with the elderly we need to really pay attention to how we present ourselves and our question. If we go to talk to the elderly and we are dressed in a suit and are acting very impersonal we are going to get completely different answers than if we went to talk to them and were casually dressed and weren't trying to act like uncaring interviewers. Our questions even need to be carefully looked at because certain wording can affect answers.
I agree with Tammy, Breaen, and Kristina on how the Hawthorne effect may influence our interviews with the elderly. We need to be careful how we a wording questions and comments so we don't influence the participants in any way. Also, we will be strangers to them and they could be uncomfortable. I think we need to make sure that we present ourselves in a respectful manner but not too professional. That may make them even more uncomfortable if we don't appear to be relaxed.
I think this could be a problem because the focus of our group is to find ways to help them know what resources are available to them. My group members and I will have to try hard to show the elderly that we are there for them and them only. I think if they had a chance to get to know us and warm up to us we would get more information. Unfortunately this class only goes to December so hopefully they warm up quick and be themselves.
They might not want to tell us the things they need or that might be bothering them because they might not feel comfortable or willing to give out so much information to someone they dont know.. I think if they were to tell family members about what was going on or what they needed they might be much more likely to open up.
The Hawthorne Effect is defined as, A tendency of research subjects to act atypically as a result of their awareness of being studied, as opposed to any actual treatment that has occurred. I think this might come into play during our elderly study because the people we will be interviewing will not know us.
The Hawthorne Effect may come in to play during the elderly study because we are conducting face to face interviews. The people we interview may be intimidated by the fact that we're strangers and not answer our questions as colorfully as they would have had we been somebody that they knew or trusted.
On the other hand, they may add a little color to their answers to try and make it worth while for us to have come out.
It all depends on the people and how they deal with interviews.
An example of the Hawthorne effect in the Homeless study could be how people answer questions during an interview. Just having a researcher there with people who are homeless, asking personal questions, could affect the the way that people discuss the details of they became homeless. While the Hawthorne effect discussed in the book would suggest a change in the behavior being studied, I find it unlikely that the homeless would simply find a home if a researcher studied them. Kelsi Bean
I think that you might be right. I think that with your group, just studying these people won't have a change in their life. It will give you numbers but it won't help them find a home.
For the recycling group, we also need to be cautious about how we word our questions for our survey. We don't want any of them to sound biased or threatening to people. We left one question open ended asking people why they recycle. We could have said "Are you trying to help the environment today by recycling" but that would be biased and putting the idea into their heads that is the only reason to recycle. We also ask if there is anything else they think could be recycled at the center.....
....That is another open ended unbiased question. So far no one has thought of anything else, though.
I don't think our presence at the center will have an effect as such. We tend to go right up to people and ask if they mind taking the survey instead of just hovering with a clipboard.
I think that wording for all of our groups are important. Each of the groups are different but with all of them, the way the questions are asked could effect the answers greatly
For a recap to those reading, I'm working with the elderly needs assessment project. Reading about the impact of how we word our questions left me wondering what it means for us.
My group and I need to take care in exactly how we ask our needs assessment questions. I like the neutral approach, which is why I like open-ended questions.
Rather than, "Do you know about Rx coverage in Maine?" why not ask, "Tell me everything you know about how to get Rx prescription in Maine."
...a clearer understanding of the participant then, right? No question is perfect, but perhaps the more neutrality we use the better off we'll be.
All in all it seems we should let the speaker get most of the words in so that OUR words don't affect their responses. If we keep ours at a minimum we can hear more of their concerns?
Well I expect the Hawthorne Effect to account for some inaccuracy in the results of our surveying. I am doing my research on peoples recycling habits in the Machias area and for example I expect when I ask people how often they recycle that I will some times get a participant of the survey that will say that they recycle more often then they do because they assume that we want them to recycle more.
Vince
VinSad3 2 years ago
In the homeless study a possible "Hawthorne Effect" could possibly happen. If we interviewed someone who is homeless and ask about experiences that might have led to their homelessness, they may make a realization and try to better themselves, or better their children from the mistakes that could be made. Or if the interviewee hadn't tried to get help before, like from a shelter, then they may try after opening up in the interview. Almost like an eye-opener.
Mallory Johnson
mallorydawn03 2 years ago
Well in our project with the elderly we need to really pay attention to how we present ourselves and our question. If we go to talk to the elderly and we are dressed in a suit and are acting very impersonal we are going to get completely different answers than if we went to talk to them and were casually dressed and weren't trying to act like uncaring interviewers. Our questions even need to be carefully looked at because certain wording can affect answers.
Jess O
MikesYobo 2 years ago
I agree with Tammy, Breaen, and Kristina on how the Hawthorne effect may influence our interviews with the elderly. We need to be careful how we a wording questions and comments so we don't influence the participants in any way. Also, we will be strangers to them and they could be uncomfortable. I think we need to make sure that we present ourselves in a respectful manner but not too professional. That may make them even more uncomfortable if we don't appear to be relaxed.
Jenn Law
jalaw146 2 years ago
I think this could be a problem because the focus of our group is to find ways to help them know what resources are available to them. My group members and I will have to try hard to show the elderly that we are there for them and them only. I think if they had a chance to get to know us and warm up to us we would get more information. Unfortunately this class only goes to December so hopefully they warm up quick and be themselves.
Tammy Allen
tammymarie82708 2 years ago
They might not want to tell us the things they need or that might be bothering them because they might not feel comfortable or willing to give out so much information to someone they dont know.. I think if they were to tell family members about what was going on or what they needed they might be much more likely to open up.
Tammy Allen
tammymarie82708 2 years ago
The Hawthorne Effect is defined as, A tendency of research subjects to act atypically as a result of their awareness of being studied, as opposed to any actual treatment that has occurred. I think this might come into play during our elderly study because the people we will be interviewing will not know us.
Tammy Allen
tammymarie82708 2 years ago
The Hawthorne Effect may come in to play during the elderly study because we are conducting face to face interviews. The people we interview may be intimidated by the fact that we're strangers and not answer our questions as colorfully as they would have had we been somebody that they knew or trusted.
On the other hand, they may add a little color to their answers to try and make it worth while for us to have come out.
It all depends on the people and how they deal with interviews.
Breaen R
BreReid 2 years ago
Comment removed
greeneyedfrog87 2 years ago
An example of the Hawthorne effect in the Homeless study could be how people answer questions during an interview. Just having a researcher there with people who are homeless, asking personal questions, could affect the the way that people discuss the details of they became homeless. While the Hawthorne effect discussed in the book would suggest a change in the behavior being studied, I find it unlikely that the homeless would simply find a home if a researcher studied them. Kelsi Bean
greeneyedfrog87 2 years ago
I think that you might be right. I think that with your group, just studying these people won't have a change in their life. It will give you numbers but it won't help them find a home.
MikesYobo 2 years ago
For the recycling group, we also need to be cautious about how we word our questions for our survey. We don't want any of them to sound biased or threatening to people. We left one question open ended asking people why they recycle. We could have said "Are you trying to help the environment today by recycling" but that would be biased and putting the idea into their heads that is the only reason to recycle. We also ask if there is anything else they think could be recycled at the center.....
corgilover1001 2 years ago
....That is another open ended unbiased question. So far no one has thought of anything else, though.
I don't think our presence at the center will have an effect as such. We tend to go right up to people and ask if they mind taking the survey instead of just hovering with a clipboard.
Marie
corgilover1001 2 years ago
I think that wording for all of our groups are important. Each of the groups are different but with all of them, the way the questions are asked could effect the answers greatly
MikesYobo 2 years ago
For a recap to those reading, I'm working with the elderly needs assessment project. Reading about the impact of how we word our questions left me wondering what it means for us.
My group and I need to take care in exactly how we ask our needs assessment questions. I like the neutral approach, which is why I like open-ended questions.
Rather than, "Do you know about Rx coverage in Maine?" why not ask, "Tell me everything you know about how to get Rx prescription in Maine."
We have...
Chibiusa98 2 years ago
...a clearer understanding of the participant then, right? No question is perfect, but perhaps the more neutrality we use the better off we'll be.
All in all it seems we should let the speaker get most of the words in so that OUR words don't affect their responses. If we keep ours at a minimum we can hear more of their concerns?
-Kristina
Chibiusa98 2 years ago