Classification of

Variables
Lesson 2 (Practical Research 2)
 What is a Variable?

• Variable – any factor or property that a researcher

measures, controls, and/or manipulates
• A changing quantity or measure of any of the
following: factor, trait, or condition
 What is a Variable?
• A logical set of attributes, characteristics, numbers
(quantities) that can be measured or counted.

• Any value (quantity) that can change over time

depending on situations or factors.
(e.g. weight, age, educational attainment)
 Classification of Variables?
• 1. Numeric variables
• 2. Categorical Variables
• 3. Experimental variables
• 4. Non-experimental variables
• 5. Variables according to the number being studied
 Classification of Variables
1. Numeric variables (quantitative data – how many, how
much)
a. Continuous variables – interval variables with decimal
value (e.g. time, age, temperature, height, and weight)
b. Discrete variables – whole value
Examples: number of children in the family
number of males and females in a
class
 Classification of Variables
2. Categorical variables (quality/characteristic– what
type, which category)
a. Ordinal variables – logically ordered/ranked
Examples: Grades – A, B, C
Clothing size – S, M, L, XL
Economic status – low, middle, upper class
 Classification of Variables
2. Categorical variables (quality/characteristic– what
type, which category)
b. Nominal variables– cannot be organized in a logical
sequence
Examples:
business types various languages
kinds of religion types of learners
 Classification of Variables
2. Categorical variables (quality/characteristic– what
type, which category)
c. Dichotomous variables– represent only two
categories
Examples:
gender (male or female) veracity (true or false)
answer (yes or no)
 Classification of Variables
2. Categorical variables (quality/characteristic– what type,
which category)
d. Polychotomous variables– with many categories
Examples:
educational attainment – G.S., H.S., College,
Graduate)
level of performance – excellent, very good, good,
satisfactory, fair
 Classification of Variables
3. Experimental variables
a. Independent variables– manipulated variables
(cause) – explanatory variable
Examples:
Use of social media sites
Use of classical music during exams
 Classification of Variables
3. Experimental variables
b. Dependent variables– affected by manipulation
(effect) – response/predicted variable
Examples:
academic performance (SNs)
test scores (classical music)
 Classification of Variables
3. Experimental variables
c. Extraneous variables– mediating/intervening
variables (existing during the time of experiment which
could influence the study result- covariate variable)
Examples:
academic performance (SNs)
test scores (classical music)
 Classification of Variables
3. Experimental variables
c. Extraneous variables
Example:
Title of Research: An Experiment on the Methods of
Teaching and Language Achievement Among Elementary Pupils
Independent variable: method of teaching
Dependent variable: Language achievement
Extraneous variables: ventilation facilities; Physical Ambiance
 Classification of Variables
4. Non- Experimental variables
a. Predictor variables – variables change the other variables
in an experimental study
Example:
Title: Social Media Use and Its Perceived Effect on Students’
Academic Performance
Predictor variable: Social media use
Criterion variable: Academic performance
 Classification of Variables
4. Non- Experimental variables
b. Criterion variables – influenced by predictor variables
Example:
Title of Research: Competencies of Teachers and Students’
Behavior in Selected Private Schools
Predictor variable: Competencies of teachers
Criterion variable: Students’ behavior
 Difference of Experimental and Non-experimental
Variables
Types of Variables Difference
Experimental With two groups of subjects
(1) Control group – No classical music when
Dependent Variable: Students’ scores in taking the Math Exam
Math Exam (2) Experimental group – with classical music
Independent Variable – Use of when taking Math Exam
Classical Music
Non-experimental No experiment conducted
Criterion Variable: Students’ scores in
Math Exam With only one set of respondents – with
Predictor Variable – Use of Classical Classical Music when taking the Math Exam
Music
 Classification of Variables

5. Variables According to the number being studied

a. Univariate study – one variable

b. Bivariate study - two variables
c. Polyvariate study – more than two variables
 Numeric Continuous
Discrete

Ordinal
Categorical Nominal
Dichotomous
Polychotomous
Classification
of Variables Independent
Experimental Dependent
Extraneous
(Intervening)

Non-experim Predictor
ental Criterion

Variables Univariate
(by number) Bivariate
Polyvariate
 Exercise A: Classify the following variables.
VARIABLES NUMERICAL CATEGORICAL
Continuous Discrete Ordinal Nominal Dichotomous Polychotomous
1. Gender

2. Number of
hours spent in
social media
sites

3. Instructional
practices
4. Economic
status
 Exercise B
• Identify the independent and dependent variable based on the title of the research
study given.
Research Title Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
Effects of Social Media use on Students’
Academic Achievement

Effects of Language Anxiety on Students’

Speaking Performance

Effect of Types of Soil and fertilizer on the

Growth of Papaya Tree
 Exercise C
• Identify the predictor and criterion variable based on the title of the
non-experimental research study given
Research Title Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
Relationship of Leadership Styles and
Employees’ Productivity

The Impact of Teachers’ Use of Knowledge

Channel Shows on Students’ Academic
Achievement
Thank you!