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2 PRACTICAL
1
RESEACRH 2
Unit I: Nature of Inquiry
and Quantitative Research
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Lesson Objectives:
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The learner should be able to demonstrates the
2 following:
1 1. Differentiates kinds of variables and their uses;
2. Apply the different variable concepts in research
appropriately.
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The Nature of 2

Variables 1

Week 3
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Variable 2
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Qualitattive Quantitative

Continuity Functional
of Values Relationship

Discrete Independent

Continuous Dependent
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Main Types of Variable: 2
1. Qualitative Variable - represents differences in quality,
character or kind but not in amount. It is used in interval or
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ratio scale of measurement.

2. Quantitative Variable - numerical in nature and can be

ordered or ranked. It has two types (a) discrete variable and
(b) continuous variable.
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Types of Quantitative Variable according to continuity of 2
values:
1. Discrete - these are variables that can’t take the form of
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decimals. It also called discontinuous variable.

2. Continuous - these are variables that can take the form of

decimals.
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Types of Quantitative Variable according to functional 2
relationship:
1. Independent variable - It is anything, condition or process 1
which controlled and manipulated by the researcher and
applied on another thing, condition or process (usually
dependent variables) intended to have or produce a change in
or reaction from the letter.

2. Dependent variable - It is anything, a condition or process

exposed to or upon which treatment or actions from the
independent variables are applied.
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Types of Quantitative Variable according to functional 2
relationship (Example):
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• Academic achievement is dependent on IQ. IQ is independent
variable and academic achievement is the dependent variable.

• A researcher is determining the effects of self-motivation on the

productivity of employees. Self-motivation is the independent
variable and productivity of the employees is dependent
variable.
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Types of Quantitative Variable according to functional 2
relationship. Identify the independent and dependent variable:
1
A researcher is trying to determine the effectiveness of different
coaching styles on volleyball teams.
 The Nature of Variables
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Variable is a characteristic that takes two or more
values which varies across individuals.
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Types of Quantitative Variable according to functional 2
relationship. Identify the independent and dependent variable:
1
A researcher is trying to determine the effectiveness of magnetized
water on the growth of kangkong and camote tops.
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
 Constant - do not undergo any changes during an 3
experiment
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Example:
Many natural forces and properties, such as the speed of
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light and the atomic weight of gold, are experimental
constants. In some cases, a property can be considered
constant for the purposes of an experiment even though it
technically could change under certain circumstances.
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
 Control Variable - controlled by the researcher in which the
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effect can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the
variables 2

Example:
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If a scientist wants to monitor how two different types of fertilizer
(independent variables) effect the growth of the coffee beans
(dependent variable), he will need to control all other variables.
First he must use the same kind of coffee beans and the same
amount of fertilizer to grow both sets of plants. He will need to
make to make sure both sets are exposed to the exactly the same
amount of water, sunlight and temperatures. These are all controlled
variables for the research.
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
 Intervening Variable - this variable intrudes or
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interferes with the independent variables and
dependent variables but its effect can either reinforce 2
or weaken the independent and dependent variables
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Example:
A researcher wants to know the effects of working seven
days a week on the employee’s productivity level.
Independent variable: Seven-day work week
Dependent variable: Productivity level
Intervening variable: Job satisfaction
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
• Dichotomous – has only two possible results: one or 3
zero.
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Example: 1
Question: Are you male or female?
Answer: I am male (or I am female)
Dichotomous variable: Sex
Category: Male, Female
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
• Attribute – a specific value on a variable such as
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characteristics of people: intelligence, creativity,
anxiety, learning styles, etc. 2
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Example:
The variable Student grade has two attributes: pass and fail.
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
• Latent – cannot be directly observed like personality
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traits
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Example:
• IQ
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• Knowledge in achievement test
• Maximum amount that people are willing to pay for
goods
 The Nature of Variables
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Other types of Variables:
• Manifest – can be directly observed to give proofs to
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latent variables
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Examples:
• IQ Test Scores
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• Scores in achievement test
• Number of transactions
Next week, we will be on the second
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unit of this subject course – Unit II:
Identifying the Inquiry and Stating 3
the Problem. 2
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See you next week.