In an experiment, the participants' ages would be a confounding variable if which of the following were true?
A) The sample included both very old and very young participants.
B) Each condition included both very old and very young participants.
C) Participants in one condition were older on average than participants in another condition.
D) Age was the independent variable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A confounding variable is an external variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable, causing a spurious association. In this case, if participants in one condition were older on average than those in another, age could influence the results outside of the experimental manipulation, making it a confounding variable.

In an Experiment, the Participants' Ages Would Be a Confounding