Identifying

Variables in
Research

CHAPTER 5
What is a Variable and Concept in
a Research Study?

A variable is an image, perception or concept

that is capable of measurement is called a
variable(gender, age, income, weight, height
etc.)

A concept cannot be
measured.(Effectiveness, impact,
satisfaction, domestic violence)

Kumar(2014)
Research Variables

2)Dependent Variables-
1)Independent Variables- The Outcome or
the cause responsible for change(s) brought
bringing about change(s) about by introduction
in a situation of an independent
variable.

3)Extraneous Variable-
increase or decrease 4)Intervening Variable-
magnitude or strength Links dependent and
between dependent and independent variable.
independent variables

Kumar(2014)
Examples
Study on the relationship
between Fertility and
Mortality- The extent on the use
of contraceptives can be an
intervening variable(since there
Relationship between is no direct relationship
smoking and cancer between fertility and mortality.

What is the dependent

variable?
Independent variable?
Extraneous variable?
Kumar(2014)
Examples(Relationship between Smoking and
Cancer)
Smoking Cancer
-(Assumed Cause ) (Assumed Effect/outcome)
-(Independent Variable) -(Dependent Variable)

Factors
That can also affect the Relationship

-The Age of the Person

-The extent of his/her smoking
-The duration of smoking
-The extent of daily exercise etc.
(These are the Extraneous Variables)
Kumar(2014)
 Effects of marriage Counselling on Marital Problems
among clients of an agency..
Counselling Service Marriage Problems
-(Assumed Cause) -(Assumed Effect)
-Independent Variable -Dependent Variable

Factors
That can also affect the relationship

-The Birth of a child

-The extent of communication
-The effectiveness of the counselling
-Self-realization etc……
(These are some extraneous Variables)
Kumar(2014)
 Types of Measurement Scales

Interval scale (has

Nominal or Ordinal or ranking equal units of Ratio scale (equal
classificatory scale, scale (categories in measurements with an units of measurement
e.g. religion: Christian, order) e.g. socio arbitrary starting with fixed starting
Muslim, Hindu, Jew, economic status: point) e.g. point at zero) e.g.
etc. upper/middle/low Temperature in height in cm
Fahrenheit

Kumar(2014)
 Summary

Measurement scales enable The choice of measuring a

Any concept that can be highly subjective responses as variable on a measurement
measured on these scales is well as responses that can be scale is dependent on the
called a Variable measured with extreme purpose of your study and
precision to be categorized. way to communicate findings.

Kumar(2014)
 References

Kumar, R. (2014). Research methodology : A step-by-step guide for beginners(4th ed.).

London: SAGE.