Rigorous Reasoning

Concept · Inductive

Confounding Variable

A third factor that influences both the supposed cause and the supposed effect, producing a correlation that does not reflect direct causation.

Why it matters

Confounders are the main reason correlation is not causation; naming them makes hidden rivals visible.

Where this shows up

Units and lessons using this concept

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Related

Other concepts in Inductive

Analogical ReasoningCausal InferenceDefeasibilityInductive StrengthRepresentativenessSample Size