Extrenuous & Confounding Variables

Question 1

Describe what is meant by ‘extraneous variables’.

Answer 1

• Any variable that if you have failed to control could effect your results in some way.
• ‘Extra variables’ that could effect the DV but not in a systematic way.

Question 2

Describe what is meant by a ‘confounding variable’.

Answer 2

• A specific type of uncontrolled variable.
• A variable that you have failed to control that cannot be separated from the IV.
• Therefore, changes in the DV may be caused by the confounding variable rather than the IV.
• “Like 2 IVs that cannot be separated- the effects can’t be separated”.