LESSON 5

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF VARIABLES

One of the most important concepts in research is the concept of “variable.” There are
many kinds of variables and many research studies involve the examination of relationship
between variables. Variables may be studied one at a time or in relation to other variables. In
this chapter, variables are defined, classified and differentiated. Examples are also given.

Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, the learners should be able to:
1. define what a variable is and explain its uses in research,
2. describe and compare the different types of variables and give examples of each, and
3. identify the variables in a given study and determine the nature of relationship between
them.
What is a Variable?
A variable is a concept that stands for a variation within a class of objects or persons
(Fraenkel and Wallen, 1996).
A variable is a characteristic or property that can take different values or attributes
(Schutt, 1999).
Variables are the basic elements that are measured in a study. They are observable and
measurable.

Examples of variables:

 age
 Sex
 Educational Attainment
 Profession
 location of business
 marital status
 type of work
 Customer type
 income
 Customer Satisfaction
 Practices, etc.
Types of Variables
Variables can be classified as: dependent, independent, intervening, and antecedent
variables

Dependent Variable
The dependent variable is the “assumed “effect” of another variable. It is the change
that occurs in the study population when one or more factors are changed or when an
intervention is introduced. Usually dependent variable is the problem itself.

Independent variable
The independent variable is the “assumed “cause” of a problem. It is an assumed
reason for any “change” or variation in a dependent variable. An independent variable is
sometimes treated as "antecedent" variable (the variable before). Likewise, an "antecedent"
variable may be treated as an "independent" variable."

Examples No. 1
In the study on “The Relationship Between Exposure to Mass Media and Smoking
Habits among Young Adults,” the dependent variable is “smoking habits,” “while the
independent variable is” “exposure to mass media.” A person's smoking habits is assumed to
change or vary depending on his/her mere exposure or degree of exposure to print or broadcast
media related to smoking.

Exposure to Mass
Smoking Habits
Media

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Example No. 2
In the experimental study to test the “Effect of Peer Counseling on the Students' Study
Habits,” the independent variable is “exposure to peer counseling.” It is assumed that students
who have been counseled by peers will have better study habits that those who were not
counseled by peers or those who have been exposed to traditional counseling techniques.

Exposure to Peer
Study Habits
Counseling

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Example No. 3
In the study entitled “Factors that Influence of Extent of Participation in Household
Decision-making among Married Professionals,” the dependent variable is “extent of
participation in household decision- making.” while the independent variable is “factors,” which
include personal characteristics of the respondents, such as age, sex, educational attainment
and income.
Factors
Extent of decision-
Sex, Education, Age, making participation
Income

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Intervening variable
The intervening variable is a factor that works “between” the independent and dependent
variables. It can weaken (decrease) or strengthen (increase) the effect of the independent on
the dependent variables. It is also called a “facilitating variable,” “moderator” or “control
variable.”

Examples No. 1
In the study on “Knowledge of the Dangers of Smoking, Attitudes towards Life, and
Smoking Habits of Young Professionals,” the intervening variable is “attitude towards life.” A
person's attitude may increase or decrease the influence of “knowledge on dangers of smoking”
(independent variable) on “smoking habits” (dependent variable). Knowing the dangers of
smoking, one may shun smoking. One may argue, however, that knowledge about the dangers
of smoking may not necessarily prevent a person from smoking if he does not mind dying early
as long as he/she enjoys life.

Knowledge of the
Attitudes towards life Smoking Habits
dangers of smoking

Independent Variable Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

Example No. 2
In the study on “Factors that Influence Household Decision-making Participation of
Married Professionals,” the intervening variable “gender sensitivity” may affect the relationship
between “selected factors” (independent variables) and “decision-making participation”
(dependent variable). Men are generally expected to participate in decision-making more than
women because of social prescription. Older, better educated individuals and those with big
income are also expected to participate more actively in decision-making than their younger less
educated counterparts. It may also be possible that a woman with a gender sensitive partner
may also be actively involved in decision-making, despite poor education or low income.

Factors Gender Sensitivity

Decision-making
Sex, Education, Age, (Perception about
Participation
Income gender roles)

Independent Variable Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

Example No. 3
In the study on “The Effect of Information Education Campaign (IEC) on Land Reform on
the Farmer's Attitude towards Land Reform,” the “length of a farmer-landlord relationship” is the
intervening variable. It is assumed that this variable can strengthen or weaken the relationship
between “exposure to IEC materials” (independent variable) and “attitudes towards land reform”
(dependent variable). A farmer may have read or heard about the benefits of land reform, but
still reject it (negative attitude) because of a long and close relationship with his landlord and his
family, which he does not want to be “cut off” by land.

Exposure to EIC
Length of Farmer- Attitudes towards Land
Materials on Land Landlord Relationship Reform
Reform

Independent Variable Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

Antecedent Variable
An antecedent variable is a factor or characteristic which is found before (ante) the
independent variable. It is expected to influence the independent variable/s. It is usually
irreversible.

Examples No. 1
In the study entitled “Attitudes towards Land Reform and Acceptance of the Program among
Lowland Farmers of Northern Luzon,” the major The major concern of the study is the influence
of “attitude towards land reform” (independent variable) on the “farmers' acceptance of the
program” (dependent variable). The farmers' attitude towards land reform is expected to vary
according to their “education, tenurial status and the size of the land they own” (antecedent
variables). More educated farmers who own their farm lots and are tilling more than a hectare of
land may be more receptive of land reform than the less educated farmers and those who do
not own any farm land or those who own less than a hectare lot.

Antecedent Variable Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Example No. 2
In the study entitled “Extent of Exposure to Print Media and Reading Ability of College
Freshmen,” the main concern is the relationship between students “extent of exposure to print
media’ media” (independent variable) and their “reading ability” (dependent variable). The
students’ exposure to print media, however, may depend on their sex, residence and-their
parents' education (antecedent variable).

Sex, Residence Extent of Exposure to

Reading Ability
Parents’ Education Print Media

Antecedent Variable Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Operational Definition of Variables

Some researchers cannot answer their research questions because they do not have
clear measures of their variables. A variable must be operationally defined according to how it
is used in the study, so that it can be properly measured.
The operational definition gives a specific meaning to the variable. The definition clarifies
how a variable or a term is used and measured in the study. A variable must be defined in terms
of events/units of measurement that are observable by the senses (Fisher, et al., 1994).
These events/units of measurement serve as indicators of the variable.
The operational definition of a variable specifies how a variable or a term is interpreted in
the study and also sets the procedure for measuring variable. An operational definition of a
variable used in one study may differ from that employed in another study.
Look at the examples below:

Variables Indicator/Operational Definition

This refers to the length of tune a person has
lived since he/she was born. In this study it
1. Age
refers to the age of a respondent on his/her
last birthday
This refers to the highest grade/year
2. Educational attainment
completed by respondent
This means Whether or not the respondent
3. Exposure to smoking information has heard or read about the anti-smoking
campaign campaign and the number of times he/she
has heard/read the message/s
This is represented by the total number of
4. Knowledge about smoking correct answers in a 10 item questionnaire on
smoking and its danger

Establishing Categories of Variables

In some cases, a number, an amount, or a score may not be sufficient to represent a
variable. To facilitate description and analysis of data, categories of variables can be
established. Each category should also be operationally defined. The categories must be
mutually exclusive and exhaustive.

Mutually Exclusive Categories

Mutually exclusive categories do not overlap. Categories are mutually exclusive when a
respondent cannot be assigned to more than one category. Some variables, like knowledge
scores, can be grouped and each group assigned to a category, such as “high level of
knowledge,” “average level of knowledge,” and “low level of knowledge.” Each of these level
categories should also be operationally defined.

Example No. 2
For a variable like “residence” if its operational definition is “geographical characteristics of the
area where the respondent permanently reside,” the possible answers may be categorized as “rural” and
“urban.” The meaning of “rural” and “urban,” however, may be different in other studies. The operational
definition depends on how the word is used and measured in the study. The categories may be defined as:
Rural – refers to a place of residence which is located outside the geographical 1unseiction of a
city or a town center.
Urban – refers to a place of residence which is located within the city proper or within the town
proper of a municipality
Exhaustive Categories
Categories are exhaustive if all the possible responses are included among the options
of responses. The answers given by every respondent can be assigned to a particular category.
If a researcher is not sure about the exhaustiveness of the categories identified, he/she should
include “Others” the catch all category. Under this category, responses which cannot be
assigned to any of the other categories can be classified

Example
A list of categories like: “Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Buddhist” for responses to a question
on religion is not exhaustive because a Mormon cannot be classified under any of the categories in the list
For instance, the variable “hobbies” is operationally defined as “a type of activity a person engages
in during leisure or free time.” The possible categories of this variable may be: “singing,” “reading,”
“painting,” “writing poems,” “sewing,” “Others, specify.” What may not be classified under the five
specific categories can be classified under “Others.” However if during data analysis, the number of
responses falling under “Others” exceed three, the responses must be specified and based on these an
additional category can be added.

Operational Definition of Key Terms

There may be terms in the study (not variables) that have meaning different from their
“dictionary meaning” or they take on different meanings, depending on situations or events.
These terms must also be defined operationally to avoid misinterpretation. The definition
depends on how the word is used and measured.

Examples:
1. Group of Tourism Experts. This terms refers to the group of tourism stakeholders who are
responsible for planning and organizing tourism development, providing education for tourism
workforce, preparing tourist informations, managing tourism business operations, providing
training for efficient and effective workforce with the aim of generating and increasing
revenue. This group of experts includes government officials involves in tourism departments,
tourism and hospitality educators, and travel and tours agency in Panay Island, Western
Visayas.

2. Tourist Type. This refers to a persons or travellers who are visiting places for a significant
purpose such as business-related travel, relaxation or pleasure, recreational, entertainment,
visiting friends and relatives, seeking adventure, educational trip, health and wellness, and
some travellers are visiting places for culinary experiences. This tourist type refers to local
tourist and International tourist. Local tourist refers to a travellers who are traveling to places
coming from his/her own country or travelling within the national boundary, while
How to Make Operational Definitions
Here are some guidelines to follow in defining variables operationally:
1. List your independent, dependent and intervening (if any) variables

2. Write an operational definition for each variable.

3. Identify the possible categories of each variable and determine if the categories can be clearly
understood, are mutually exclusive (do not Overlap) and exhaustive. The list of categories is
complete so that all respondents can be categorized

4. List the key terms which may be interpreted differently by different people, unless they are
operationally defined. Write an operational definition for each term.

5. When defining a variable or a term, be guided by the following questions:

a. Does the definition clearly specify the way the variable will be measured?
b. Are the categories of each variable mutually exclusive?
c. Are the categories exhaustive?