covariate

Categories: Site glossary

A covariate is a factor that may vary and influence the outcome of an experimental study, but is not being deliberately modified or controlled. For example, if the effectiveness of different teaching approaches are being evaluated by student scores on a post test, then student prior attainment (as measured by scores on a pre-test) can be considered a covariate.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.