The observer - expectancy effect (also called the experimenter - expectancy effect, expectancy bias, observer effect, or experimenter effect) is a form of reactivity in which a researcher 's cognitive bias causes them to subconsciously influence the participants of an experiment. Confirmation bias can lead to the experimenter interpreting results incorrectly because of the tendency to look for information that conforms to their hypothesis, and overlook information that argues against it. It is a significant threat to a study 's internal validity, and is therefore typically controlled using a double - blind experimental design.
what is it called when the results are influenced by expectations of the researcher
observer - expectancy effect experimenter - expectancy effect expectancy bias observer effect experimenter effect