Scribd
Upload
56 views3 pages

Research Variables Explained

This document discusses different types of variables that can be classified in research. Variables can be numeric, categorical, or experimental/non-experimental. Numeric variables are discrete or continuous, describing quantity. Categorical variables are nominal, ordinal, or dichotomous, describing qualities. Experimental variables include independent, dependent, and extraneous, while non-experimental variables are predictors and criteria. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of variable.

Uploaded by

Ella Lopez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views3 pages

Research Variables Explained

This document discusses different types of variables that can be classified in research. Variables can be numeric, categorical, or experimental/non-experimental. Numeric variables are discrete or continuous, describing quantity. Categorical variables are nominal, ordinal, or dichotomous, describing qualities. Experimental variables include independent, dependent, and extraneous, while non-experimental variables are predictors and criteria. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of variable.

Uploaded by

Ella Lopez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

📄

Lesson 3: Classification of
Variables
In any research, we deal with factors or properties in order to study something. This
factor or property that we measure, control, or manipulate in quantitative research is
called a variable.
Variables can be classified into different types depending on context.
Numeric – variables with values describing a number or quantity that can be measured
and answers the questions “how many” or “how much”

Discrete – variables that are countable in a fixed amount of time and can only
assume any whole value within the limits of the given variables.

Examples: Population of students, money in your wallet, number of family


members, number of business locations

Continuous – variables that take an infinite amount of time to be counted and can
assume any value between a certain set of real numbers.

Examples: Age, height, weight, temperature, time

Categorical – variables with values describing a characteristic or quality which answers


the questions “what type” or “which category”

Lesson 3: Classification of Variables 1


Nominal – variables whose values cannot be organized in sequence or logical
manner

Examples: Eye color, languages spoken, business types

Ordinal – variables that can take a value that can be logically arranged in a
sequence or rank

Examples: Academic grades (A, B, C, F), clothing size (S, M, L, XL), measure
of attitudes (strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree)

Dichotomous – variables that represent two categories

Examples: True or false, yes or no

Experimental

Independent – variable manipulated in an experiment and causes the change/s to


the other variable/s in the study; also known as manipulated or explanatory variable

Dependent – variable affected by the manipulation of the independent variable;


also known as response or predicted variable

Extraneous – variables already existing in the experiment that could affect the
results of the study; also known as mediating, intervening, or covariate variable

Example: Use of Gardening Tools and Types of Fertilizer: Their Effects on the Amount
of Harvest

Independent: Use of gardening tools, types of fertilizer

Dependent: Amount of harvest

Extraneous: Humidity level, types of plants

Non-experimental

Predictor – variables that change the other variables in the study

Criterion – variables are usually influenced by the predictor variable

Example: Conduct of Guidance Counseling Programs to the Degree of Absenteeism


and Drop-Out Rate among Grade 8 Classes

Predictor: Conduct of guidance counseling programs

Criterion: degree of absenteeism, drop-out rate

Lesson 3: Classification of Variables 2


Lesson 3: Classification of Variables 3

You might also like