CONFOUNDING VARIABLE EXPLANATION

WRITING ASSIGNMENT 3: CONFOUNDING VARIABLE EXPLANATION
(2 – 2 ½ pages)
> In your own words explain the concept of a confounding variable using one or two of the examples from the notes and discussion.
> Are confounding variables considered a threat to the validity of an experiment or study? Why or why not?
> What is meant by the statement “researchers/study design will attempt to account for these confounding variables“?
> Also see if you can brainstorm any additional possible variables you feel could be on a list of Common Confounding Variables. If you’re having trouble coming up with additional plausible confounding variables just take a guess as if it were a type of free word association exercise in relation to the words you already see on the list of Common Confounding Variables. They can be specific or more broad-based categories.
> (Optional) You can also address the discussion post questions regarding the eating broccoli example:
What would be the primary purpose or goal of conducting studies such as this?
What would be meant by the following statements: If this were the early 2000s the headline result might have read ‘spinach eaters have longer life expectancy’. And today it may have read ‘kale eating habits shows longer life expectancy’ or perhaps quinoa or maybe another specific food you could take a guess at? And why?
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