DISCUSSION GUIDE No.

1 in RESEARCH I ( Third Quarter)

VARIABLES
One of the most important concepts in research is the concept of variable. Many kinds of variables exist, and much of educational
research involves looking for relationships among variables. A hypothesis, on the other hand, expresses relationships between
variables. Research questions, in fact, are often restated as hypothesis.

What is a VARIABLE?
1.

A variable is a concept a noun that stands for variation within a class of objects, such as chair, gender, eye color, achievement,
motivation, or running speed.

2.

A variable is a symbol to which numerals or values are assigned. It is a set of classifications into which empirical experiences or
observations maybe placed.

3.

It is a quantity or a characteristic that has two or more mutually exclusive values or properties of objects or people that can be
classified, measured or labeled in different ways.

4.

Anything in research situation that varies and can be measured is called variable.

5.

If all the members of the class are identical, there is no variable. Such characteristics are called constant, since the individual
members of the class are not allowed to vary, but rather are held constant.

6.

For an investigator to be able to measure and/or observe a particular concept, he has to reduce it first to the level of a variable.
Example: Supposing a researcher would like to find out the relationship between gender and
performance in mathematics. To do this, he has to administer a math test to a class made up of male and female
students then get their test scores. How many of the male and female students passed the test and who had a
better performance?

7.

Characteristics of Variables
a. It is an observable characteristic of a person or objects being studied.
b. It is capable of assuming several values representing a certain category.
c. These are raw data or figures gathered by a researcher for statistical purposes.
d. They are values that may arise from counting and or from measurement.
e. They are the predicted values of one variable on the basis of another.

8.

Types of Variables

a.

Independent vs. dependent variable

An independent variable, X, is the presumed cause of the dependent variable, Y, the presumed effect.
In experiments, the independent variable is the variable manipulated by the experimenter.
The dependent variable is the presumed effect, which varies concomitantly with changes or variation in the independent
variable. It is the variable that is not manipulated. Rather, it is observed for variation as a presumed result of variation in
the independent variable. The dependent variable is ordinarily the condition we are trying to explain.
The student should be alert to the possibility of a variable being an independent variable in one study and a dependent
variable in another. In other words, the independent and dependent variable classification is really a classification of uses
of variables rather than a distinction between different kinds of variables.

affects

Independent Variable(s)

Dependent Variable(s)

(presumed or possible cause)

(presumed results)

b.

Active (manipulated) vs. attribute (outcome) variables

Active variables are manipulated variables. Any variable that is manipulated is an active variable. They are also
independent variables but you do something to produce them.
Attribute variables are measure variables. Any variable that cannot be manipulated is an attribute variable.
The active-attribute distinction is general, flexible, and useful. Some variables are by their very nature always attributes,
but other variables that are attributes can also be active.

c.

Quantitative vs. categorical variables

Quantitative variables exist in some degree along a continuum from less to more, and can assign numbers to
different individuals or objects to indicate how much of the variable they possess.
Categorical variables belong to a kind of measurement called nominal. They do not vary in degree, amount, or quantity
but are qualitatively different.

QUANTITATIVE VARIABLES
Height (inches)
Low
High
Science Aptitude
Low
High

9.

CATEGORICAL VARIABLES
Gender
Male
Female
Religious Affiliation
Protestant Catholic Buddhist None Etc.

A basic problem in research is that there are many possible independent variables that could have an effect on the dependent
variables. Such variables are called extraneous variables. These are independent variables that are not controlled. Further,
these are the variables which infers with the independent and dependent variables, but its effect can either strengthen or
weaken the variables. Such case, it is also called intervening variable. Intervening variable is a term invented to account for
internal and directly unobservable psychological processes that in turn account for behavior. An intervening variable is an inthe-head variable. It cannot be seen, heard, or felt. It is inferred from behavior. One way to control extraneous variables is to
hold them constant.

Independent Variable
Educational
Qualification

Intervening Variables
Age, gender, civil
status, experience,
socio-economic status,
values, attitude toward
works

Dependent Variable
Performance