onFebruary 26, 2025

A __ is an extraneous variable that differs on average across levels of the independent variable.

In experimental research, ensuring that the observed effect on the dependent variable is due solely to the manipulation of the independent variable is crucial. However, extraneous variables, factors not intentionally studied, can influence the results. When one of these extraneous variables systematically differs across the levels of the independent variable, it may provide an alternative explanation for any observed differences, thereby compromising the internal validity of the study. Such a variable is known as a confounding variable.

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a. dependent variable

b. treatment variable

c. leftover variable

d.confounding variable

The correct answer is:

d. confounding variable

A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that differs on average across levels of the independent variable and can offer an alternative explanation for any observed effects on the dependent variable. This can compromise the internal validity of an experiment by making it unclear whether the observed effect is due to the manipulation of the independent variable or the influence of the confounding variable.