Question

Katie has 222 types of dog treats—chicken and beef—and she wonders which type her dog prefers. She carries out an experiment where she offers her dog both treats at the same time. For consistency, she always puts the chicken treat in her right hand and the beef treat in her left hand. Her dog chooses the chicken treat in 858585 of 100100100 attempts.

Katie concludes that her dog prefers the chicken treats over the beef treats.
What is a confounding variable that makes her conclusion inappropriate?

Answer 1

The confounding variable in Katie's experiment is the position of the chicken treat in her right hand, which may bias her dog's choice. Alternating treat positions or using a different presentation method can eliminate this confounding variable and provide a more accurate conclusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The confounding variable in Katie's experiment is the position of the chicken treat in her right hand. By always placing the chicken treat in her right hand, Katie introduces a bias that may influence her dog's preference for the chicken treat. Dogs may have a natural tendency to choose the treat that is closer or more accessible to them, rather than based on the type of treat.

To eliminate this confounding variable, Katie could alternate the positions of the chicken and beef treats in her hands, or use a different method to present the treats to her dog, such as placing them on the floor.

By addressing this confounding variable, Katie can ensure a more accurate and valid conclusion about her dog's treat preference.