Department of Education

PULOT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Pulot Center, Sofronio Española, Palawan

MODULE IN PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

QUARTER 1- WEEK 2

MODULE 2: KINDS OF VARIABLE AND THEIR USES

Lesson objectives:

1. Differentiates kinds of variables and their uses. (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3)

Overview:

A researcher's ability to comprehend the link between numerous variables in a

study is essential. As a result, it is important to describe variables to provide an exact
description of their relationship. Although there is no limit to the number of variables
that may be examined, the more variables assessed, the more difficult the study and
statistical analysis will be. Additionally, the more variables there are, the longer the
data collection time will be.

A Variable is a characteristic of an individual or organization that can be

observed and measure, and it can vary among people or organizations being studied
(Creswell, 2002). It comes from the root word “vary” or simply “can change”.

Bernard (1994) defines variables as something that can take more than one
value, and values can be words or numbers. The most common variables in social
research are age, sex, gender, education, income, marital status, and education.

Other experts define a variable as any entity that can take on different values.
Simply stated, anything that can vary can be considered a variable. An attribute, on
the other hand, is a specific value on a variable.

For instance:

- the variable sex has two attributes: male and female.

- The variable income has an attribute of 5,000 per month, 10,000 per
month, 15,000 per month, and so on.

Remember!

Variables should have at least 2 attributes otherwise it is constant.

Four Types of Variables

1. NOMINAL VARIABLE – represents categories that cannot be ordered in any

particular way.
 EXAMPLES:
- Biological Sex (Male/Female) - Political Affiliation
- Blood Type - Zip code
- Race - Eye Color
- Political Party - Religion

2. ORDINAL VARIABLE – represents categories that can be ordered from greatest

to smallest.

EXAMPLES:
- Grade level - Socio-economic status
- Satisfaction rating - Rank

3. INTERVAL VARIABLE – has values that lie along with an evenly dispersed range
of
numbers.
EXAMPLES:
- Employee’s net worth - Body Temperature
- pH level - SAT score (200-500)
4. RATIO VARIABLE – has variables that lie along with the evenly dispersed range
of numbers when there is an absolute zero. It possesses the properties of the
interval variable and has a clear definition of zero.

EXAMPLES:
- dose amount - reaction rate, flow rate
- concentration - pulse rate
- weight - length
- distance

KINDS OF VARIABLES

1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that probably cause, influence, or affect

outcomes. They are invariably called treatment, manipulated, antecedent, or
predictor variables.

EXAMPLES:

A study on the relationship of parental support and academic performance

of Senior High School students in Narra National High School.
 PARENTAL SUPPORT is the independent variable because it influenced the
outcome or the performance of the students.

2. DEPENDENT VARIABLES – those that depend on the independent variables;

they are the outcomes or results on the influence of the independent variable.

EXAMPLES:

From the given example above, Academic Performance of the SHS student in
NNHS is the Dependent Variable because it is depending on the kind of
parental support showed which makes their performance high or low.

EXAMPLES:

A teacher -researcher is studying the effect of cooperative learning activities (i.e.,

structure group work) toward the academic achievement in science.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Cooperative Academic
Learning Achievement of
Students in Science
Intervening Variables
Student Trait:
Extrovert
Introvert

- Students who are extrovert enjoyed working in groups and tends to

participate in cooperative learning more than introvert students.
- The student’s trait like being introvert and extrovert is the intervening
variables because it mediates the effects of cooperative learning activities
and academic performance in science

3. INTERVENING VARIABLE OR MEDIATING VARIABLE – “stand between” the

independent and dependent variables, and it shows the effects of the
independent variable on the dependent variable.

4. CONTROL VARIABLES – a special type of independent variable that is

measured in a study because they potentially influence the dependent variable.
Researchers use statistical procedures (e.g. analysis of covariance) to control
these variables. They may be demographic or personal variables that need to
be “controlled” so that the true influence of the independent variable on the
dependent can be determined. In an experiment, it is the variable that is held
constant.

EXAMPLES:

In a study, “Determining the Effects of Exposure to Different Colored Lights on

the Growth of the Plant”, the control variables are the type of plant, the
amount of soil, and the amount of water given to the plants. These variables
are controlled so that the plant growth can be attributed with certainty to
exposure to different colored lights.

5. CONFOUNDING VARIABLES – those that are not measured nor observed in a

study.

EXAMPLES:

From the given example above, Academic Performance of the SHS student in
NNHS is the Dependent Variable because it is depending on the kind of parental
support showed which makes their performance high or low. They exist but their
influence cannot be directly detected in a study.
ASSESSMENTS:

INSTRUCTION: Study the following research cases. Identify the independent and
dependent variables for each of the following research cases by writing your answers
on the table provided:

Case 1:
To determine whether kamantigue plant leaves have an effect on inhibiting bacteria,
a Kirby-Bauer Susceptibility Test Disc Diffusion Method will be undertaken. In this study,
the filter paper disc will be impregnated with kamantigue leave extract of specific
concentrations and is place carefully on an agar culture that will inoculate with a
culture of the bacterium to test. The plate is incubated overnight and observe for the
next 24 hours for a zone of growth inhibition around the disc containing the agent to
which the organism is susceptible, where a resistant organism will grow up to (and
under) the periphery disc.

Case 2:
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), if given in mega doses, is known to reduce the
occurrences of cancer cells. To test this hypothesis, patients with known cancers were
given mega doses of vitamin C for 12 weeks. After twelve weeks, screening tests were
done to determine the decrease of cancer cells.

Case 3:
In an experimental study, researchers looked at the effects of nutrition on reading
ability. In Group A, children ate at least three ounces of dark green vegetables every
day for one month. In Group B, children were fed their regular diet. At the end of the
month, the children took a reading comprehension test. Those who ate the green
vegetables every day for one month (Group A) did not vary in their test scores when
compared to Group B.

Case No. Independent Variable Dependent Variable