Variables and Values

Variables and Values
What is a Variable?
A variable is a symbol that stands for a value that may
vary; the term usually occurs in opposition to
constant, which is a symbol of non-varying value, i.e.,
completely fixed or fixed in the context of use.
A variable is not only something that we measure,

but also something that we can manipulate and
something we can control for. Variables can be
characterized as either categorical or continuous.
Dependent Variable: Test Marks (measured from 0 to

100)
Independent Variables: Revision time (measured in
hours) Intelligence (measured using IQ score)
Classification of Variables and Scales of Measurement
Certain types of statistical procedures require certain scales
of.
Categorical Variables
Variables having categories like gender, parenting style,
learning style, ethnicity, retention in grade, personality type,
drug use, etc.
Continuous Variables
Continuous or Quantitative Variables are ones in which the
variables differ in magnitude, e.g., income, age, GNP, etc.
It is generally recommended that researchers should not turn

quantitative independent variables into categorical variables.
The Causal Relationship Variables
In studies that are attempting to study a causal based
relationship, four sets of variables may operate:
(a) Change variables that are responsible for bringing about
change in a phenomenon;
(b) Variables which affect the link between cause and effect
variables;
(c) Outcome variables which results from the effects of a
change variable; and
(d) Connecting or linking variables, which in certain
situations important to complete the relationship between
cause and effect.
The unmeasured variables affecting the cause-effect
relationship are called extraneous variables and the
variables that link a cause and effect linking are called
intervening variables.
Moderating Variables
A moderating variable influences the strength of a

relationship between two other variables.
In general terms, a moderator can be categorical
(e.g., gender, race, class) or continuous (e.g., level of
reward) variable that affects the direction and/or
strength of the cause and effect relation.
A moderating variable is often considered as a
second independent variable in a research study.
Age may be a moderating variable. Pictures may have
a significant influence on younger student’s
communication styles but may be less strong or
nonexistent for older students.
Mediating Variables
A mediating variable explains the relationship
between the two other variables. In general, a given
variable may be said to function as a mediator to the
extent that it accounts for the relation between the
predictor and the criterion.
Mediators explain how external physical events take
on internal psychological significance.
Whereas moderator variables specify when certain
effects will hold, mediators speak to how or why such
effects occur.
Example: A parent’s level of education could be a
mediating variable. It explains why there is a relation
between the independent and dependent variable.
When you remove the effect of education, the
relation between the two disappears.
Why key variables should be identified
For example, a researcher is interested in low levels of literacy. Literacy
itself is still a broad topic. In most instances, the broad topic and general
variables need to be specifically identified. For example, the researcher
needs to identify specific variables that define literacy: reading fluency
(the ability to read a text out loud), reading comprehension
(understanding what is read), vocabulary, interest in reading, etc. If a
researcher is interested in motivation, what specific motivation variables
are of interest: external motivation, goals, need for achievement, etc?
Reading other research studies about your chosen topic will help you
better identify the specific variables of interest.
Identifying the key variables is important for the following reasons:
The key variables provide focus when writing the Introduction section.
The key variables are the major terms to use when searching for research
articles for the Literature Review.
The key variables are the terms to be operationally defined if an Operational
Definition of Terms section is necessary.
The key variables provide focus to the Methods section.
The Instrument will measure the key variables. These key variables must
be directly measured or manipulated for the research study to be valid.

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Variables and Values

A variable is not only something that we measure,

Dependent Variable: Test Marks (measured from 0 to

It is generally recommended that researchers should not turn

A moderating variable influences the strength of a

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