What are confounding variables? What are some potential confounding variables for public health studies to consider?

What are confounding variables? What are some potential confounding variables for public health studies to consider?

Solutions

Expert Solution

A confounding variable is an outside influence that changes the effect of a dependent and independent variable. This extraneous influence is used to influence the outcome of experimental design. Simply, a confounding variable is an extra variable entered into the equation that was not accounted for.

Suppose a study is done to reveal whether bottle-feeding is related to an increase of diarrhea in infants. It would appear logical that the bottle-fed infants are more prone to diarrhea since water and bottles could easily get contaminated, or the milk could go bad. However, the facts are that bottle-fed infants are less likely to get diarrhea than breast-fed infants. Bottle feeding actually protects against illness. The confounding variable would be the extent of the mother's education on the matter. If you take the mother's education into account, you would learn that better-educated mothers are more likely to bottle-feed infants.

orchestra answered 1 year ago

Next > < Previous

Related Solutions

What determines whether some of these studies are experiments? Name at least two potential confounding variables...

What determines whether some of these studies are experiments? Name at least two potential confounding variables controlled by breastfeeding experiments

Defining international or global health is important and some consider global health synonymous with public health....

Defining international or global health is important and some consider global health synonymous with public health. Select one of the following two statements: 1. Global health is public health requiring similar training and research methods. 2. Global health is a separate discipline requiring specific training and research methods. Identify at least two arguments that support the selected statement and provide sources to support those arguments. Identify and discuss one historical event that is important in how global health is understood...

Visit some public health employment websites and look for potential job openings for epidemiologists. Considering the...

Visit some public health employment websites and look for potential job openings for epidemiologists. Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, describe different types of employment for bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels of public health training.

What is the difference between observational studies and experiments? Be sure to discuss/explain control of confounding...

What is the difference between observational studies and experiments? Be sure to discuss/explain control of confounding variables, bias, and the pros and cons of each method.

What are the prerequisites for confounding to occur? What is a confounding effect?

what are some questions to ask the ministry of health about public health departments ?

What are some key processes for health care organizations? What are some potential common causes of...

What are some key processes for health care organizations? What are some potential common causes of variation that would have an impact on the key processes of health care organizations?

What is the dependent, independent, and confounding variables from this abstract? Background: Little is known about...

What is the dependent, independent, and confounding variables from this abstract? Background: Little is known about the effects of the amount and type of carbohydrates on risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the relations of the amount and type of carbohydrates with risk of CHD. Design: A cohort of 75 521 women aged 38–63 y with no previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases...

What are some potential ethical concerns for crime and justice studies? Please cite your source if...

What are some potential ethical concerns for crime and justice studies? Please cite your source if you used one. Thank you!

Some statistical measures form the basis of data gathering and analysis in public health. Consider the...

Some statistical measures form the basis of data gathering and analysis in public health. Consider the following measures: Frequencies Means Medians Standard deviations Quartiles Ranges Respond to the following: Compare and contrast the use of the measures listed in understanding the health status of a population. Give examples in your answer. Discuss the relevance and use of each measure in relation to research studies. Write your initial response in 6 distinct paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Subjects