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Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region v
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SORSOGON
Gallanosa National High School

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
Quarter 1 - LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET No. 3
Name of Student: _______________________________________________________
Grade and Section: _________________
Date: _______________

Kinds of Variables and their Uses

I. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT
You have learned from the previous lessons that quantitative research
is concerned about numerical or measurable values that we can analyze
statistically. How do we measure such values? Is it measurable at all times?
Do these values change? Are these values applicable for descriptive,
correlational, causal-comparative and experimental research? In this lesson,
you will learn about the different classifications of data used in quantitative
research and their examples.

II. LEARNING SKILLS FROM MELCs

Upon completion of this module, the learners are able to:

 differentiate kinds of variables and their uses (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3)

III. ACTIVITIES
A. Let Us Review
Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Choose the letter of
the correct answer.

1. The following are the kinds of variables utilized in research EXCEPT for
one.
A. Dependent C. Absolutely Neutral
B. Independent D. Nominal and ordinal
2. A study would like to determine if Fertilizer A will boost the growth of
santol tree in Albay. What is the dependent variable?
A. A study C. Growth of santol tree
B. Fertilizer A D. Santol tree in Albay province

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 3. A local soap manufacturer would like to prove that their dishwashing soap
works better in washing away the grease and stain in the dishes. Which is
the independent variable?
A. Soap manufacturer C. Grease and stain in the dishes
B. Dish washing soap D. Dishes utilized in the experiment
4. A nominal variable which has only two categories or levels.
A. Ratio variable C. Interval variable
B. Ordinal variable D. Dichotomous variable
5. A variable which can be measured along a continuum and have a
numerical value.
A. Ratio variable C. Interval variable
B. Ordinal variable D. Dichotomous variable

B. Let Us Study

In order to get an answer to an inquiry that they are investigating,

researchers will observe and measure the quality or quantity of the object of
the study. It is therefore imperative for the researcher to identify the
variables significant in explaining observed effects or behavior.

A Variable is anything that has a quantity or quality that varies. For

instance, during the quarantine period, your mother planted tomato
seedlings in pots. Now common understanding from science tells you that
several factors are affecting the growth of tomatoes: sunlight, water, kind of
soil, and nutrients in soil. How fast the tomato seedlings will grow and bear
fruits will depend on these factors. The growth of tomatoes and the number
of fruits produced are examples of the Dependent Variables. The amount of
sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil are the Independent Variables. If
there is an existing relationship between the independent and dependent
variables, then the value of the dependent variable varies in response to the
manipulation done on the independent variable. The independent variable is
also identified as the presumed cause while the dependent variable is the
presumed effect. In an experimental quantitative design, the independent
variable is pre-defined and manipulated by the researcher while the
dependent variable is observed and measured. For descriptive, correlational
and causal-comparative quantitative research designs, independent and
dependent variables simply do not apply.

It is important to note other factors that may influence the outcome

(dependent variable) which are not manipulated or pre-defined by the
researcher. These factors are called Extraneous Variables. In our example
above, the presence of pests and environmental stressors (e.g. pets, extreme
weather) are the extraneous variables. Since extraneous variables may affect
the result of the experiment, it is crucial for the researcher to identify them
prior to conducting the experiment and control them in such a way that they
do not threaten the internal validity (i.e. accurate conclusion) of the result.
Controlling the extraneous variable can be done by holding it constant or
distribute its effect across the treatment. When the researcher fails to
control the extraneous variable that it caused considerable effect to the
outcome, the extraneous variable becomes a Confounding Variable. For
example, if the tomato had been infested by pests (confounding variable)
then you cannot conclude that manipulations in sunlight, water and soil
nutrients (independent variable) are the only contributing factors for the

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stunted growth and poor yield (dependent variable) of the plant or is it the
result of both the independent variables and the confounding variable.

The variables can also be classified according to their nature. The

diagram below shows the different classifications:

VARIABLE

QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
(NUMERICAL) (CATEGORICAL)

Quantitative Variables, also called numerical variables are the type

of variables used in quantitative research because they are numeric and can
be measured. Under this category are discrete and continuous variables.

A. Discrete variables are countable whole numbers. It does not take

negative values or values between fixed points. For example: number
of students in a class, group size and frequency.

B. Continuous variables take fractional (non-whole number) values that

can either be a positive or a negative. Example: height, temperature.

Numerical data have two levels of measurement, namely:

A. Interval are quantitative variables where the interval or differences

between consecutive values are equal and meaningful but the
numbers are arbitrary. For example, the difference between 36
degrees and 37 degrees is the same as between 100 degrees and 101
degrees. The zero point does not suggest the absence of a property
being measured. Temperature at 0 degree Celsius is assigned as the
melting point of ice. Other examples of interval data would be year
and IQ score.

B. Ratio type of data is similar to interval, the only difference is the

presence of a true zero value. The zero point in this scale indicates the
absence of the quantity being measured. Examples are age, height,
weight and distance.

Qualitative Variables are also referred to as Categorical Variables are

not expressed in numbers but are descriptions or categories. It can be
further divided into nominal, ordinal or dichotomous.

C. Dichotomous are consisting of only two distinct categories or values.

For example, a response to a question either be a yes or no.

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 D. Nominal variable simply defines groups of subjects. Here you may
have more than 2 categories of equivalent magnitude. For example, a
basketball player’s number is used to distinguish him from other
players. It certainly does not follow that player 10 is better than player
8. Other examples are blood type, hair color and mode of
transportation.

E. Ordinal variable, from the name itself denotes that a variable is

ranked in a certain order. This variable can have a qualitative or
quantitative attribute. For example, a survey questionnaire may have
a numerical rating as choices like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5ranked accordingly
(5=highest, 1=lowest) or categorical rating like strongly agree, agree,
neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. Other examples or ordinal
variable: cancer stage (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III), Spotify Top 20 hits,
academic honors (with highest, with high, with honors).
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C. Let Us Practice
Determine the independent (IV) and dependent (DV) variable. Write it
on the space provided.

1. An agronomist would like to determine if adding processed loam soil

would increase crop production.
IV:_________________________________________________________
DV:________________________________________________________
2. During summer, electricity consumption gets high because of higher
temperature.
IV:_________________________________________________________
DV:________________________________________________________
3. A restaurant owner decided to permanently install a Wi-Fi since he
observed that it brought increase in the number of customers per day.
IV:_________________________________________________________
DV:________________________________________________________
4. A researcher would like to investigate the number of mosquitoes killed by
a locally made spray.
IV:_________________________________________________________
DV:________________________________________________________
5. JC would like to determine if increasing the number of hours of exercise
will increase his speed in running.
IV:_________________________________________________________
DV:________________________________________________________

D. Let Us Remember
How important is it to know the different kinds of variables in research?

Variables play a significant role in quantitative research.

When you intend to accomplish something through research, the
boundaries of your goal must be defined first to direct your focus
into a specific characteristic or condition through identifying the
variables of your research study. Doing such eliminates
complexities and elaborate work especially for a senior high
school student like you. Knowing the different kinds of research
variables also aids in smooth data collection and analysis.
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 E. Let Us Practice More
Directions: Identify the following variable as either qualitative or
quantitative. Then classify which specific category they belong.

Data Type of variable Classification

(Qualitative/Quantitative) (Discrete, continuous,
interval, ratio, nominal,
dichotomous, ordinal)
Ex. Number of eggs laid by Quantitative Discrete, interval
chickens
Amount of fertilizer given to
plants
Weight of Pechay harvested
(in
grams)
Speed of car
Tomato plant variety
Color of alcohol packaging
(blue,
orange, white, pink)
Educational level of parents
(high
school grad, college grad, MS,
PhD)
Online seller satisfaction
rating (1-
5 stars)
Cellphone brand
Number of Covid-19 positive
cases
Type of music
Number of passengers in a
PUJ
Socio-economic status
Gender
Temperature in Fahrenheit
Civil Status

F. Evaluation
Directions: Explain briefly what is being asked for.

1. Compare and contrast qualitative variables and quantitative variables.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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 2. How important is it for the researcher to identify the type of variables used
in the study?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

IV. ANSWER KEY

Let us Review
1. C 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. C

Let Us Practice
1. IV: Amount of loam soil
DV: crop production
2. IV: Temperature
DV: electricity consumption
3. IV: presence of Wi-Fi
DV: Number of customers per day
4. IV: Locally made spray
DV: number of mosquitoes killed
5. IV: Number of hours of exercise
DV: Running speed

Let Us Practice More

Evaluation
Answers may vary

V. REFERENCES
Rochelle A. Luzano, et al. PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 Alternative
Delivery Mode Quarter 1 - Module 1:Nature of Inquiry and Research First
edition, Department of Education – Division of Cagayan de Oro City, 2020.

Jojim B. Cordova MT II, Practical Research 2 Quarter 1 Module 3

Variables, Department of Education, Region V, 2020.

Prepared by:

JENELYN F. LOPERA
Teacher II

Quality Assured by:

ARYAN B. LOPERA IVY JILL H. VALMORES

Master Teacher II, SGH-GAS Asst. Principal II, SHS

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