Unit 3 - Topic 2 - Experimentation - Section B - Experimental Design - Part II - Confounding Variables

Question 1

What is a confounding variable

Answer 1

Due to the complexities of biological systems, other variables besides the independent variable may affect the dependent variable

Question 2

What must happen to confounding variables were possible and what is this to account for

Answer 2

These confounding variables must be held constant if possible, or at least monitored so that their effect on the results can be accounted for in the analysis

Question 3

When could a randomised block design be used

Answer 3

In cases where confounding variables cannot easily be controlled

Question 4

Describe randomised block design

Answer 4

Randomised blocks of treatment and control groups can be distributed in such a way that the influence of any confounding variable is likely to be the same across the treatment and control groups