Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is Evaluation Apprehension?

Research Topics:
Psychological/Emotion Research | Respondent Cooperation/Satisfaction
Content Type:
Glossary
Share Print

Evaluation Apprehension Definition

A study participant's fear of being judged by others, which may result in providing invalid data.

An evaluation apprehension event refers to a study participant's fear of being observed or evaluated by others, thus leading to a change in behavior or response. This can lead to a bias in the participant’s responses, as the participant might present himself or herself in a more favorable light or conform to perceived expectations. This phenomenon could lead to a bias in a response. Recognizing the event is key for maintaining the validity of marketing research. Recognizing the event is key for maintaining the validity of marketing research. To offset the impact of the phenomenon, researchers can employ strategies like ensuring participant anonymity, providing a comfortable study environment or using indirect methods to gather data.

Who is impacted by evaluation apprehension events?

Researchers and marketing professionals conducting studies with direct interaction with participants depend on the concept of an evaluation apprehension event to explain how and why the behavior, opinions and responses of participants can be altered.

Why should I care about an evaluation apprehension event?

Understanding evaluation apprehension events is crucial for accurate and reliable marketing research outcomes because the presence of this phenomenon can distort data. That can lead to misinformed research findings. Businesses and marketing professionals that recognize and act to reduce this effect that lead to obtaining more genuine insights.