ACT Preparation / Unit 20 ACT 1915 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Confounding Variables
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The idea
A confounding variable is a factor, other than the independent variable, that affects the result and differs between groups, so it can be mistaken for the cause. Statistics books also call it a lurking variable.
In practice
Fertilized plots that also got more sun have sun as a confounding variable.
Where people slip
Random assignment and controlled variables are the defenses against confounding.
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