confounder
Hidden causal interloper
A confounder is a variable that distorts the apparent relationship between two other variables being studied, creating a misleading impression of cause and effect.
In research and statistics, confounders muddy the waters by influencing both the suspected cause and the observed outcome: Age was a confounder in the study linking coffee consumption to heart disease.
Identifying and controlling for confounders is essential to drawing valid conclusions from data.
The term also occasionally refers to a person who confounds or bewilders.
Prone to fluctuation
- covariateVariable controlled in analysis
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- causationProduction of effects
regression · control · adjustment · stratification · randomization · spurious · observational · epidemiology
Barrier to progress
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- snagUnforeseen complication
wrench · spoiler · foiler · frustration · interference · obstruction · disruption
One feigning another's identity
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- hoaxerOne who deceives playfully
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
charlatan · swindler · scammer · schemer · pretender · faker · quack · masquerader
Causing mental confusion
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
- befuddlingCausing mental confusion
disorienting · disconcerting · confusing · bewildering · stupefying · nonplussing · flummoxing · dumbfounding
variable
Prone to fluctuation
- covariateVariable controlled in analysis
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
causation · regression · control · adjustment · stratification · randomization · spurious · observational · epidemiology · lurking
hindrance
Barrier to progress
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
snag · wrench · spoiler · foiler · frustration · interference · obstruction · disruption
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- hoaxerOne who deceives playfully
cheat · charlatan · swindler · scammer · schemer · pretender · faker · quack · masquerader · sham
perplexing
Causing mental confusion
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
befuddling · disorienting · disconcerting · confusing · bewildering · stupefying · nonplussing · flummoxing · dumbfounding
- causationcause, effect, because, causality, causation
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
- causalitycausation, causality, causal chain, cause, effect
confounderindependent variable
Factor deliberately manipulated
covariate · moderator · predictor · dependent variable · signal
- confound itMild oath of annoyance
- confounding variableUnmeasured cause affecting outcomes