Definition

A factor or variable that makes it difficult to determine the true relationship between two other factors, often leading to misleading results in research or analysis.

Example

In the study, age was identified as a confounder that affected the results of the experiment.

Conversation

Have you heard about the concept of a confounder in research studies?

Yeah, I think it refers to something that can mess up the results, right?

Exactly! It makes it hard to see the true relationship between two variables.

That's interesting; I wonder how often they are overlooked in studies.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Confounder → It is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "fundere" (meaning to pour). The word "confounder" refers to a variable that is mixed together with the independent variable, making it difficult to determine the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Memory Tip

Think of things being 'poured together' ('fundere') which makes it hard to separate them — that's why a confounder complicates understanding the relationship between variables.

Visually Confused Words