Question

an experiment was performed by a scientific research team to determine the association between number of car accidents and occurrence of liver disease.

which of the following could be a potential confounding variable in the experiment? check all that apply.

select all that apply:

□ liver disease

□ average number of alcoholic drinks per week

□ scientific research team

□ age of the study participant

Explanation:

A confounding variable is a factor associated with both the independent (number of car accidents) and dependent (liver disease) variables, distorting their observed relationship.

1. Liver disease is the outcome variable, not a confounder.
2. Alcohol intake links to both higher car accident risk and liver disease development, so it is a confounder.
3. The research team conducting the study does not affect the variables, so it is not a confounder.
4. Older age correlates with increased accident risk (due to reduced reflexes) and higher liver disease likelihood, so it is a confounder.

Answer:

• average number of alcoholic drinks per week
• Age of the study participant