Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Mathematics Practice Exam

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Which term refers to outside influences that might affect the outcomes of a study?

  1. Independent Variables

  2. Dependent Variables

  3. Extraneous Variables

  4. Control Variables

The correct answer is: Extraneous Variables

The term that refers to outside influences affecting the outcomes of a study is extraneous variables. These variables can introduce noise or variability in the results, making it more difficult to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables. By recognizing extraneous variables, researchers can take steps to control or account for them, thereby enhancing the validity of the study's findings. In contrast, independent variables are the factors that are intentionally manipulated in an experiment to observe their effect on the dependent variable, which is the outcome being measured. Control variables are kept constant to ensure that any observed changes in the dependent variable are solely due to the manipulation of the independent variable. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for designing robust experiments and accurately interpreting data.