Intervening and extraneous variables

Intervening and extraneous variables

• A. A variable that is controlled by the researcher
• B. A variable that is identical to the dependent variable
• C. A variable that comes between the independent and dependent variables and may confound results
• D. A variable that never affects results

Answer: (C)

Intervening variables act as a link in the causal chain between the independent variable and the dependent variable. They help explain how the IV produces its effect on the DV. Because they lie between the IV and DV, they can influence the observed relationship, and if not accounted for, they may confound results by offering an alternative explanation for what’s observed. That’s why a description of a variable that comes between the independent and dependent variables and may confound results is the best fit here. In contrast, a variable controlled by the researcher is a control variable, a variable identical to the dependent variable isn’t meaningful in this context, and a variable that never affects results is irrelevant. Extraneous variables are other uncontrolled factors that affect the DV and can bias outcomes if not managed, but they aren’t necessarily the mediating mechanism between IV and DV.

Intervening variables act as a link in the causal chain between the independent variable and the dependent variable. They help explain how the IV produces its effect on the DV. Because they lie between the IV and DV, they can influence the observed relationship, and if not accounted for, they may confound results by offering an alternative explanation for what’s observed. That’s why a description of a variable that comes between the independent and dependent variables and may confound results is the best fit here. In contrast, a variable controlled by the researcher is a control variable, a variable identical to the dependent variable isn’t meaningful in this context, and a variable that never affects results is irrelevant. Extraneous variables are other uncontrolled factors that affect the DV and can bias outcomes if not managed, but they aren’t necessarily the mediating mechanism between IV and DV.