I'm not a scientist, so I won't be using this term's specific meaning in physics—or making any recommendations about how you should! Instead, I'll focus on its use in general conversation.

You might say that the observer effect is changing or affecting an outcome, or weakening or intensifying an outcome, or straight-up creating or generating an outcome.

Or you might say that people are trying to predict, control, or limit the observer effect.

I think it's worth knowing the term "observer effect" because it's more easily understood than the more precise "Hawthorne effect," which specifically labels the idea that people act differently when they know they're being observed. In other words, for clarity's sake, I would pick "observer effect" over "Hawthorne effect," unless you're planning on glossing the term for your readers (explaining immediately what it means).

"The poll unintentionally captured what might be termed a polling observer effect... Sure, polls might show that Republicans support halting Muslim immigration, but what if the question had never been polled to begin with?"
  — Silpa Kovvali, Salon, 1 March 2016

"These clashing perceptions underscore the physics of race, in which an observer effect operates: The instrument through which one perceives race — one's culture, one's experiences, one's fears and fantasies — alters in crucial ways what it measures."
  — Michael Eric Dyson, New York Times, 29 November 2014

has this page helped you understand "observer effect"?

Awesome, I'm glad it helped!

Thanks for letting me know!
If you have any questions about this term, please message me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.

study it:

Explain the meaning of "observer effect" without saying "observation bias" or "affecting something by observing it."

try it out:

In the Chicago Tribune, Ben Bowman brought up the observer effect when commenting about how outlandish reality television has gotten:

"It's impossible to observe something without altering it. Can you really be yourself while wearing a microphone, surrounded by lights and cameras?"

Talk about whether or not you agree. Whether it's on reality shows, game shows, the news, or just YouTube, do you think anyone is truly themselves while a camera is rolling? Or is the observer effect always in play?

If you like, use this space to write. (To save your work, copy and paste it into an email or a document.)

before you review, play:

Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.

Our game for this month is Make Your Point Before & After!

I'll give you a clue, and you give me a verbal mashup including at least one word or phrase we've studied before.

For example, if I give you "It's the kind of theatrical stage setting that encourages the actors to radically overact," then you give me "mise en scenery chewing," a mashup of "mise en scene" and "scenery chewing."

Try this one today: It's a public transit system where you meet your soul mate.

To reveal the first two hints, highlight the hidden white text.

Hint 1: The number of words in this Before & After is... one.

Hint 2: The first word in this Before & After is... too big of a hint, but the first letter is K.

Hint 3: Use this term.

To see the answer, scroll all the way down.

review this term:

1. One way to potentially eliminate the OBSERVER EFFECT could be to

A. observe regularly, such as three times a week.
B. observe respectfully, such as from a distance of ten yards.
C. observe secretly, such as through a one-way mirror or a hidden camera.

2. In an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise titled "Observer Effect," aliens infect some of the crewmembers with a virus to watch how they'll react but end up _____.

A. catching the virus themselves
B. cutting the experiment short out of boredom
C. interfering with the experiment out of compassion

Answers to the review questions: 1. C 2. C Answer to the game question: kismetro.

a final word:

I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love. I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From my blog: On vocabulary...       36 ways to study words.       Why we forget words, & how to remember them.       How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. On writing...       How to improve any sentence.       How to motivate our kids to write.       How to stop procrastinating and start writing.       How to bulk up your writing when you have to meet a word count. From my heart: a profound thanks to the generous patrons, donors, and sponsors that make it possible for me to write these emails. If you'd like to be a patron or a donor, please click here. If you'd like to be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. A disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.