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Confounding
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Causal_inference/0D0zNs9b">causal inference</a>, a confounder is a variable that influences both the <a href="/facts/Dependent_and_independent_variables/dINfzIF2">dependent variable and independent variable</a>, causing a <a href="/facts/Spurious_relationship/VamjC4XS">spurious association</a>. Confounding is a <a href="/facts/Causality/Swh496X7">causal</a> concept, and as such, cannot be described in terms of correlations or associations. The existence of confounders is an important quantitative explanation why <a href="/facts/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation/IeWeoMB9">correlation does not imply causation</a>. Some <a href="/facts/Causal_notation/ACqzP5DD">notations</a> are explicitly designed to identify the existence, possible existence, or non-existence of confounders in causal relationships between elements of a system. </p><p>Confounders are threats to <a href="/facts/Internal_validity/mfyCA0n1">internal validity</a>. </p>