confounding variables
Uncontrolled experimental factors
Confounding variables are factors in research that distort the apparent relationship between things being studied.
If a study finds that coffee drinkers live longer, wealth might be a confounding variable—wealthier people both drink more coffee and have better healthcare.
Researchers try to control for confounders to isolate true cause and effect.
Also called confounds.
Introducing chance systematically
- matchingIdentical in appearance
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- blindingPainfully intense light
- placeboInactive therapeutic substitute
Duration of existence
- sexReproductive category or act
- socioeconomic statusRank by wealth and education
- geographic locationPosition on Earth's surface
- time of dayCurrent clock position
diet · genetics · comorbidity · attrition · maturation · instrumentation
Neutral conflict resolver
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
- directionalityHaving a specific heading
- selection biasUnrepresentative sample causing errors
- common causeMutual objective uniting parties
Structured plan for research
- cross-sectionalCut through perpendicularly
- longitudinalAlong the longer dimension
- between-subjectsComparing distinct participant groups
- field studyResearch in actual environments
randomization
Introducing chance systematically
- matchingIdentical in appearance
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- blindingPainfully intense light
age
Duration of existence
- sexReproductive category or act
- socioeconomic statusRank by wealth and education
- geographic locationPosition on Earth's surface
time of day · diet · genetics · comorbidity · attrition · maturation · instrumentation
mediator
Neutral conflict resolver
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
- directionalityHaving a specific heading
- selection biasUnrepresentative sample causing errors
experimental design
Structured plan for research
- cross-sectionalCut through perpendicularly
- longitudinalAlong the longer dimension
- between-subjectsComparing distinct participant groups
confounding variablescontrol variables
Unchanged experimental factors
covariates · independent variable · independent variables · constants
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