The Hawthorne Studies
General Framework
The Hawthorne studies had their origins in the Scientific School of Management and constituted a
genuine attempt at discovery through research. By today’s standards there were deficiencies in the
research which will be highlighted in the individual components of this topic. In your introduction
outline the overall context of the Hawthorne studies and in your conclusion, stress the significant
outcomes from the studies notwithstanding the acknowledged defects in the research methodology.
Individual Components
1. The Illumination Studies: One member of the group choose this phase of the studies.
2. The Relay Room Experiments: Another member of the group choose this phase of the studies.
3. The Bank Wiring Experiments: The third member of the group choose this phase.
Apart from describing the phase you have chosen, you must identify the specific research
methodological weaknesses inherent in that phase.