What is an extraneous variable?

An extraneous variable is a variable that is not of primary interest in a study, but could potentially influence the study's results. These variables are often uncontrolled and can introduce bias or confound the results of a research study.

Extraneous variables can come in many forms, such as individual differences in participants (e.g. age, gender), environmental factors (e.g. noise, lighting), or even measurement error in the research instruments used. It is important for researchers to identify and control for extraneous variables as much as possible in order to ensure the validity and reliability of their findings.

There are several ways to minimize the impact of extraneous variables in a study, such as randomization, matching, statistical control, or experimental design. By carefully considering and addressing potential extraneous variables, researchers can enhance the internal validity of their study and increase the confidence in their results.