Unobserved variables

Unobserved variables, also known as hidden or latent variables, are factors that influence the relationship between other variables but are not directly measured or visible in a study. Think of them as underlying causes or circumstances that affect outcomes but aren’t included in the data. For example, motivation might influence test scores, but if motivation isn’t measured, it’s an unobserved variable. Recognizing unobserved variables is important, as they can bias results or lead to incomplete understanding of the true relationships in a study.