säätömuuttuja

A säätömuuttuja, or control variable in English, is a factor in a scientific experiment or study that is deliberately kept constant or unchanged throughout the entire process. The purpose of a säätömuuttuja is to ensure that it does not influence the relationship between the independent variable (the factor being manipulated) and the dependent variable (the factor being measured). By controlling other potential influences, researchers can isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, leading to more accurate and reliable results.

For example, if a study is investigating the effect of different amounts of fertilizer on plant growth, the säätömuuttujat might include the amount of sunlight, the type of soil, the frequency of watering, and the temperature. If these factors were allowed to vary, it would be impossible to determine whether any observed differences in plant growth were due to the fertilizer or to these other uncontrolled variables.

The identification and control of säätömuuttujat are crucial for establishing causality and drawing valid conclusions from research. Failing to adequately control for these variables can lead to confounding results, where the true effect of the independent variable is obscured or misinterpreted. Researchers must carefully consider all potential factors that could influence the outcome and implement strategies to keep them consistent across all experimental conditions.