Control variable is used to remove
- Non-spurious relationship
- Inference
- Conceptual clarity
- Unwanted influence
Correct Ans: (D)
Explanation:
Researchers use a control variable to remove unwanted influence from a study. In any research, many factors can affect the outcome. If left uncontrolled, these outside influences may distort the results. Thatโs where control variables play a critical role.
A control variable stays constant throughout the experiment. It doesnโt change along with the independent or dependent variables. By keeping it stable, researchers can isolate the real relationship between the main variables they want to study.
For example, imagine a study on how media exposure affects public opinion. If age or education also affects opinion, the researcher controls those factors. This way, they remove their impact and focus only on media exposure.
Moreover, control variables increase the accuracy of findings. They eliminate noise and help draw clearer conclusions. Without them, the data could reflect false relationships. This leads to misleading results.
In addition, using control variables improves credibility. Other researchers trust the outcomes more when the study accounts for external influences. It also makes the research easier to replicate.
Importantly, control variables donโt change the focus of the study. Instead, they support it by reducing bias. Researchers plan for them early, often before data collection begins.
In short, control variables act like filters. They clean the data by removing unrelated effects. As a result, they help researchers find the true link between cause and effect.
