What did Jane Addams mean when she warned against turning the settlement house into one more laboratory another place in which to observe and record?

Jane Addams cautioned against transforming the settlement house into merely a site for observation and research, as she believed it should instead prioritize direct community engagement and support. She feared that treating the settlement house as a laboratory would detach it from its mission of empowering marginalized populations and addressing their real needs. Addams advocated for a model that emphasized active participation and collaboration with the community, rather than a passive, observational approach. By doing so, she aimed to foster genuine social change and understanding.