Naive Participant: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Naive participants are individuals who are unaware of the research context within which they are participating. This lack of knowledge or awareness has been studied in a variety of contexts, from research on experimental design to studies on human behavior. In this article, we will define the term “naive participant”, discuss its history and the characteristics that make an individual a naive participant, and provide some references to scientific journal articles for further reading.
Definition
A naive participant is defined as an individual who is unaware of the conditions of a research study or the purpose of the research. This lack of knowledge or understanding can lead to an individual’s responses or behavior being shaped by the researcher’s expectations rather than their own. Naive participants may also lack an understanding of the ethical implications of participating in research or fail to understand the risks and benefits associated with being a participant.
History
Naive participants have been studied since the early 20th century when experimental design and research methodology began to be more widely discussed in the academic sphere. Naive participants have been studied in a variety of contexts, such as clinical research, educational research, and survey research. In particular, naive participants have been studied in the context of the Hawthorne effect, which is the idea that individuals modify their behavior when they are aware that they are being studied. This has been widely discussed as a potential limitation of research involving naive participants.
Characteristics
The characteristics that make an individual a naive participant vary depending on the context in which they are participating. Generally, a naive participant is someone who is unaware of the purpose of the study, the conditions of the study, or the ethical implications of participating in research. Other characteristics can include a lack of knowledge about the research methodology, the potential risks and benefits associated with participating in research, or the implications of their participation on the overall results of the study.
References
DeVellis, R. F. (2016). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Griggs, R. A., & Cox, J. E. (2015). The Hawthorne effect: A reconsideration of the methodological artifact. American Psychologist, 70(3), 217-228. doi:10.1037/a0039071
Holme, S. (2014). Naïve participants in survey research: Challenges and solutions. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 17(4), 357-368. doi:10.1080/13645579.2013.836587
Kirk, J., & Miller, M. L. (1986). Reliability and validity in qualitative research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Sapadin, L. A. (2006). Ethical issues related to naive research participants. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(1), 35-40. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.37.1.35