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Mitigating the Hawthorne Effect Using Computer Simulations

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Abstract

The Hawthorne studies by Roethlisberger and Dickson (1939) that investigated workplace behavior have maintained a consistent presence in social science and education research literature (Chiesa & Hobbs, 2008). The Hawthorne Effect has been often noted in social experiments describing participants modifying their behavior during the investigation because they know they are being studied (G. Payne & J. Payne, 2004). This chapter explores the use of the Hawthorne Effect in the literature and incorporates the possibility of mitigating the Hawthorne Effect with an investigation of a computer simulation embedded with performance-based assessments. Participant responses about the effect of the simulation on their responses initiated this exploration in the Hawthorne Effect. Findings and implications delve into the applicable uses of computer simulations.

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Holmes, S.Y. (2011). Mitigating the Hawthorne Effect Using Computer Simulations. In: Annetta, L., Bronack, S.C. (eds) Serious Educational Game Assessment. SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-329-7_11

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