American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What term describes a variable that may confuse the relationship between the dependent and independent variables?

1. Control Variable

2. Confounding Variable

3. Random Variable

4. Dependent Variable

The correct answer is: Confounding Variable

A confounding variable is a factor that can influence both the independent and dependent variables, leading to a spurious association between the two that may not reflect a true causal relationship. By introducing this extra layer of complexity, confounding variables can obscure the true nature of the relationship being studied, making it difficult to draw valid conclusions from the data. For instance, in examining the effect of exercise on weight loss, a confounding variable could be diet, as individuals who exercise might also have different dietary habits that influence weight loss separately. Identifying and controlling for confounding variables is crucial in research design to ensure that the relationships observed are valid and reliable. Other terms like control variable, random variable, and dependent variable have distinct meanings that do not capture the specific issue of confusion in relationships between variables. Control variables are those that are held constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable; random variables relate to variability in data that is inherently unpredictable; and dependent variables are those outcomes being measured to see how they change in response to independent variables. These distinctions underscore why confounding variable is the most appropriate term for the scenario described.