In the context of evaluating causal arguments, what is a confounding factor ?

Question

In the context of evaluating causal arguments, what is a  confounding factor ?

Answer

A factor which explains the
correlation between two things, A and B, because it causes one of the things,
and correlates with the other.

Answer

A factor which explains the correlation
between two things,
A
and B,
because
it is
a common cause of both A and B.

Answer

A correlation between two things, A and B, that is a pure coincidence.

Answer

All of the above.

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