KA 2: experimentation: experimental design: confounding variables

Question 1

due to the complexities of biological systems, other variables besides the independent variable..

Answer 1

..may affect the dependent variable

Question 2

why must confounding variables be held constant if possible, or at least monitored?

Answer 2

so that their effect on the results can be accounted for in the analysis

Question 3

when can a randomised block design be used?

Answer 3

in cases where confounding variables cannot easily be controlled

Question 4

describe the distribution of randomised blocks of treatment and control groups

Answer 4

they’re distributed in such a way that the influence of any confounding variable is likely to be the same across the treatment and control groups