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Variable Concept

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Variable Concept

Uploaded by

rahullal11122
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Variables & Concepts

MS. MANSI AHUJA


Concepts
Concepts are highly subjective as their
understanding varies from person to
person, and therefore, may not be
measurable. In a research study it is
important that the concepts used should be
operationalised in measurable terms so
that the extent of variation in respondents’
understanding is reduced not eliminated.
Measurability is the main difference
between a concept and a variable.
Concepts, Indicators &
Variables
If you are using a concept in your study,
you need to consider its
operataionalization, that is, how it will be
measured. In most cases, to operationalise
a concept you first need to go through the
process of identifying indicators—a set of
criteria reflected of the concept—which can
then be converted into variables.
Concepts, Indicators & Variables
Example
The concept ‘Richness’ can easily be converted into
indicators and then variables. To decide objectively
if a person is ‘rich’, one first needs to decide upon
the indicators of richness.
Assume we decide upon income and assets as the
indicators.
Income is also a variable since it can be measured
in dollars, therefore, you need not to convert this
into a variable. Although the assets owned by an
individual are indicators of his/her ‘richness’, they
still belong to the category of concepts. You need
to look further at the indicators of assets. For
example, house, boat, car and investments are
indicators of assets.
Variable
A central idea in research.
Variable is a concept that varies.
Anything (concept/term) that can take on differing
or varying values.
Variation can be in quantity, intensity, amount, or
type. Examples
Production units, Absenteeism, Gender, Religion,
Grade, Age.
Variable
‘If it exists, it can be measured’ (Babbie
1989:105)
Variables represent concepts. Like
concepts, variables are defined in words,
but, as used in social research, variables
have a special characteristic. Variables
have two or more observable forms or
values.
Concept and Variables
Concept Variable
Effectiveness Sex (male/female)

Satisfaction Income (Rs……)

Impact Age

Self esteem Height

Quality Weight
Variables & Attributes
An attribute is a specific value on a variable.
For instance, the variable sex or gender has two
attributes: male and female. Or, the variable
agreement might be defined as having five
attributes:
1 = strongly disagree
2 = disagree
3 = neutral
4 = agree
5 = strongly agree
Profitability is an attribute and profit after tax is a
variable.
Types of Variables
Independent variable is the cause supposed
to be responsible for bringing about change/s in
a phenomenon or situation.
Dependent variable is the outcome of the
change/s brought about by changes in an
independent variable
Extraneous variables are the several others
factors operating in real-life situation may
affect changes attributed to independent
variables. These factors, not measured in the
study, may increase or decrease the magnitude
or strength of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables.
Types of Variables
Intervening variables are sometimes
called the confounding variables. They link
independent and dependent variable. In
some situations the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
cannot be established without the
intervention of another variable. The cause
variable will have the assumed effect only
in the presence of an intervening variable.
Independent, Dependent and
Extraneous Variables in Causal
Relationship
Independen Extraneous Dependent
t Variable Variables Variable
Age of the person
Extent of smoking
Extent of Exercise
Smoking Cancer
Sex (male/female)
Education
(Assumed (Assumed
cause) effect)
To study the impact of a no of times
a CA student revise his course on the
overall exam results.

Exam result : Dependent Variable


No. of time a course is revised:
Independent Variable
Quality of notes: Intervening Variable
Student’s interest, motivation to clear,
environment at home, peer pressure:
Extraneous Variable.
Thank You

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