Evaluating the impact of video cameras on participant behaviour in research: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human behavioural research is often clouded with the risk that study results may be contaminated by the participant's awareness that they are being observed. Direct observation by a person is associated with this phenomenon, but limited data exists evaluating this Hawthorne Effect when less invasive video recording devices are used. Here we present the first quantitative analysis to identify the extent to which this occurs, based on self-reported behavioural change when cameras are used.

Methods

Searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were performed on 01/12/2022. No limitations were set. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who changed their behaviour due to awareness of being recorded. Two blinded reviewers per

SUBMITTER: Herath M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12911182 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature