Covariate

You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.

In statistics, a covariate is a variable that is possibly predictive of the outcome under study. A covariate may be of direct interest or be a confounding variable or effect modifier.

Also called covariable. An independent variable, or predictor, in a regression equation. Also, a secondary variable that can affect the relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables of primary interest in a regression equation

In econometrics, term "control variable" is usually used instead of covariate.

References

• A Dictionary of Epidemiology: Fourth Edition. John M Last ed. Oxford UP 2001.