- Which one of the following types of variables is most difficult to evaluate objectively in a true experiment? Explain why you think that (See instructions below).
- a) Dependent variable
- b) Independent variable
- c) Confounding variable
- d) Extraneous variable
- e) None of the above
Instructions: Make selection, provide a concept definition (text), and support your opinion on the selection with an example from research that illustrates the concept. Do so in a maximum of 250 words. Use credible and peer reviewed sources. Credible sources include course materials, University Library research that is peer reviewed, and Internet sites ending in .edu or .gov with with the one exception of research pulled from the www.apa.org site. If research is pulled from the APA site, use the www.apa.org
The type of variable that is most difficult to evaluate objectively in a true experiment is c) Confounding variable. A confounding variable is an extraneous factor that systematically varies with the independent variable and can impact the dependent variable, making it challenging to determine the true cause-and-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Confounding variables are difficult to evaluate objectively because they often go unnoticed or uncontrolled, leading to erroneous conclusions. Researchers must carefully identify and control for confounding variables to ensure the internal validity of their experiments. This involves using various experimental designs, statistical techniques, or randomization methods to minimize their impact.
For example, consider a study investigating the impact of a new drug on reducing anxiety levels in individuals with a specific disorder. If the study does not control for a confounding variable like the participants’ prior exposure to therapy, those who have received therapy before may exhibit lower anxiety levels due to that prior treatment, rather than the new drug. In this case, the confounding variable (prior therapy) could lead to an incorrect attribution of the drug’s effectiveness.
To mitigate this, researchers might use random assignment to ensure an equal distribution of participants with prior therapy experience in both the treatment and control groups, reducing the confounding variable’s influence and making it easier to objectively evaluate the drug’s effects on anxiety levels. Nonetheless, confounding variables remain a significant challenge in experimental research due to their potential to obscure true causal relationships.