Confounding Variables
Definition
These are factors other than the independent variable that may cause a result in an experiment, making it difficult to determine if the results were due to the independent variable or these other factors.
Analogy
Imagine you're baking cookies. You decide to change the type of sugar you use to see if it makes your cookies taste better. But at the same time, you also switch from using butter to margarine. If your cookies taste different, is it because of the sugar or the margarine? The margarine is a confounding variable in this situation.
Related terms
Dependent Variable: This is what researchers measure in an experiment and expect to change as a result of the experimental manipulation.
Independent Variable: This is what researchers manipulate or vary in an experiment.
Control Group: This group does not receive any experimental treatment and serves as a baseline for comparison with the experimental group.
"Confounding Variables" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (2)
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.