Confounding factor

Definition

A third variable that affects both variables being studied and can therefore create or alter an apparent correlation.

Used by OCR

Paper 1, Paper 2

Hot, sunny weather is a confounding factor: it encourages people to buy ice cream and increases their exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause sunburn. The correlation is real within the illustrative dataset, but the proposed ice-cream mechanism is not credible.
Revise: Correlation, Causation and Probability

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GCSE Physics · key term

A third variable that affects both variables being studied and can therefore create or alter an apparent correlation.

Used by OCR

Paper 1, Paper 2

Hot, sunny weather is a confounding factor: it encourages people to buy ice cream and increases their exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause sunburn. The correlation is real within the illustrative dataset, but the proposed ice-cream mechanism is not credible.
Revise: Correlation, Causation and Probability

Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.