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Kinds of Variable and Their Uses

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38 views3 pages

Kinds of Variable and Their Uses

Uploaded by

Ronnie Dalgo
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Lesson 4: KINDS OF VARIABLES AND THEIR USES

Overview:
A researcher's ability to comprehend the link between numerous
variables in a study is essential. As a result, it is important to describe
variables to provide an exact description of their relationship. Although there
is no limit to the number of variables that may be examined, the more
variables assessed, the more difficult the study and statistical analysis will
be. Additionally, the more variables there are, the longer the data collection
time will be.

A Variable is a characteristic of an individual or organization that can


be observed and measure, and it can vary among people or organizations
being studied (Creswell, 2002). It comes from the root word “vary” or simply
“can change”.
Bernard (1994) defines variables as something that can take more
than one value, and values can be words or numbers. The most common
variables in social research are age, sex, gender, education, income, marital
status, and education.
Other experts define a variable as any entity that can take on different
values. Simply stated, anything that can vary can be considered a variable.
An attribute, on the other hand, is a specific value on a variable.
For instance:

- the variable sex has two attributes: male and female.


- The variable income has an attribute of 5,000 per month,
10,000 per month, 15,000 per month, and so on.
Remember!

Variables should have at least 2 attributes otherwise it is constant.

KINDS OF VARIABLES

1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that probably cause, influence,


or affect outcomes. They are invariably called treatment, manipulated,
antecedent, or predictor variables.

EXAMPLES:
A study on the relationship of parental support and academic
performance of Senior High School students in Pulot National High
School.
PARENTAL SUPPORT is the independent variable because it
influenced the outcome or the performance of the students.
2. DEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that depend on the independent
variables; they are the outcomes or results on the influence of the
independent variable.

EXAMPLES:
From the given example above, Academic Performance of the SHS
student in NNHS is the Dependent Variable because it is
depending on the kind of parental support showed which makes their
performance high or low.

3. INTERVENING VARIABLE OR MEDIATING VARIABLE – “stand


between” the independent and dependent variables, and it shows the
effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
EXAMPLE
S:
A teacher-researcher is studying the effect of cooperative learning activities (i.e.,
structure group work) toward the
academic achievement in science.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Cooperative Academic
Learning Achievement of
Students in Science
Intervening
Variables
Student Trait:
Extrovert
Introvert

- Students who are extrovert enjoyed working in groups and tends to


participate in cooperative learning more than introvert students.
- The student’s trait like being Introvert and extrovert is the intervening
variables because it mediates the effects of cooperative learning activities
and academic performance in science

4. CONTROL VARIABLES – a special type of independent variable that


is measured in a study because they potentially influence the dependent
variable. Researchers use statistical procedures (e.g. analysis of
covariance) to control these variables. They may be demographic or
personal variables that need to be “controlled” so that the true influence
of the independent variable on the dependent can be determined. In an
experiment, it is the variable that is held constant.

EXAMPLES:
In a study, “Determining the Effects of Exposure to Different Colored
Lights on the Growth of the Plant”, the control variables are the type
of plant, the amount of soil, and the amount of water given to the
plants. These variables are controlled so that the plant growth can be
attributed with certainty to exposure to different colored lights.

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