What is a lurking variable?

A lurking variable is a variable that is not included in a research study but can affect the relationship between the variables that are being studied. Lurking variables can lead to inaccurate or biased results in a study because they can create a false association between the variables that are being examined.

Lurking variables can arise in research studies for a variety of reasons, such as not controlling for all possible confounding variables, failing to consider all potential factors that may influence the relationship between variables, or not collecting data on all relevant variables.

To address the issue of lurking variables, researchers should carefully design their studies to control for potential confounding variables, consider all possible factors that may influence the relationship between variables, and collect data on all relevant variables that could impact the results.

Overall, it is essential to be aware of lurking variables when conducting research studies to ensure that the results are accurate and unbiased.