Confounding variable

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002424",
  "term": "Confounding variable",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A variable in a study that is associated with both the exposure and the outcome of interest, and is not an intermediate step in the causal chain. Its presence can distort the true relationship between the exposure and outcome, leading to a spurious association or masking a real one. Researchers attempt to control for confounding variables through study design or statistical analysis.",
  "synonyms": [
    "confounder"
  ],
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2007, 79, 1153. 'Glossary of terms used in toxicology, 2nd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)' on page 1195 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779071153)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/confounding-variable/"
}