Extraneous variables are the other factors that influence the results of a nursing research alongside the independent and dependent variables. While the independent and dependent variables are exclusively defined before the research is conducted, the extraneous variables are unforeseen and unpredictable. This however does not eliminate the fact that they significantly influence the results and findings of the study if not controlled. In this case, the researcher needs to outline ways on how to control the extraneous variables (Flannelly, Flannelly & Jankowski, 2014).
One method for controlling the extraneous variables is for the researcher to select a control group and an intervention group from the sample population. In order to make the control of the extraneous variables more valid, the researcher can decide to utilize random selection while grouping the sample into control and intervention groups (Lee, 2013). While the random sampling technique does not eliminate the errors that emanate from these variables it serves to equalize the existence of the error across the groups or more so distribute the error across the groups (Flannelly et al., 2014). The control group is subjected to standard factors whereas the intervention group is subjected to the process, procedure, method or intervention being tested or investigated.
At the end of the study, the researcher will have two sets of results; one from the control group that was afforded standard conditions (or none at all) and the other set of results from the intervention group that was afforded the elements of the intervention being tested. With this set of results, a comparative logical analysis of the results of the control and intervention groups will provide a formal structure on which the effects of the extraneous variables can be identified and eliminated. The elimination criterion is based on the differences and similarities between the results of the control group and the intervention group (Lee, 2013).
References
Flannelly, L. T., Flannelly, K. J., & Jankowski, K. R. (2014). Independent, Dependent, and Other Variables in Healthcare and Chaplaincy Research.Journal of health care chaplaincy, 20(4), 161-170.
Lee, T. S. (2013). Case-Control Studies with Jointly Misclassified Exposure and Confounding Variables. Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods,12(2), 11.
