code: def _check_params(ignored_variables, ignored_interactions):
      
  
      if ignored_variables is None:
          ignored_variables = set()
      elif not isinstance(ignored_variables, abc.Container):
          ignored_variables = set(ignored_variables)
  
      if ignored_interactions is None:
          ignored_interactions = set()
      elif not isinstance(ignored_interactions, abc.Container):
          ignored_interactions = set(ignored_interactions)
  
      return ignored_variables, ignored_interactions
docs: Helper for sample methods