What is the term for when research participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed?

The phenomenon of research participants changing their behavior because they are aware they are being observed is best described by the term "Observer effect." This occurs when the presence of the observer influences the subjects being studied, often leading to alterations in their natural behavior.

In research, the awareness of being watched can lead individuals to modify their actions, consciously or unconsciously. This effect is a crucial consideration in designing studies, as it can potentially skew results, leading to inaccuracies in the information collected. Understanding the observer effect helps researchers take steps to minimize its impact, such as using unobtrusive observation techniques or ensuring that participants are not aware of the specifics of the study.

The other terms refer to different concepts. Experimenter bias involves the impact of the researcher's expectations on study outcomes, while participant bias can refer to a participant's own bias or predisposition that may affect their responses. Social desirability bias specifically pertains to the tendency of individuals to answer questions in a manner that they believe will be viewed favorably by others, rather than giving truthful responses. Each of these concepts is relevant in research design and data collection but represents different influences on participant behavior and responses.