A confounding variable is a third variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables. ... A confounding variable is a type of extraneous variable that not only affects the dependent variable, but is also related to the independent variable.

What is an example of a confounding variable?

A confounding variable is an outside influence that changes the effect of a dependent and independent variable. ... For example, if you are researching whether a lack of exercise has an effect on weight gain, the lack of exercise is the independent variable and weight gain is the dependent variable.

What is confounding in statistics?

Confounding means the distortion of the association between the independent and dependent variables because a third variable is independently associated with both. A causal relationship between two variables is often described as the way in which the independent variable affects the dependent variable.