Final answer:
In an experiment, a variable that changes systematically with the treatment and may influence the outcome is called a confounding variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an experiment, any variable that varies systematically with the treatment conditions and might influence the participants' scores is called a confounding variable. The correct answer is d) Confounding. A confounding variable is an extraneous factor that interferes with the action of the independent variable on the dependent variable, making it difficult to isolate the true cause of any observed changes in the dependent variable.
The dependent variable is the variable in a scientific experiment that is affected by another variable, known as the independent variable. The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter with the objective of observing the effect it has on the dependent variable. The control of confounding variables is crucial in experimental design to ensure that the results are attributable solely to the independent variable's influence.