Classification of Variables

Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to:

1. determine the classifications of variable; and

2. differentiate the classifications of variable.

 Variable
A variable is any factor or property that a
researcher controls o measures, and/or
manipulates. It is also the changing quantity or
measure of any factor or trait or condition that
can exist in differing amounts or types. It is also
a set of logical attributes, characteristics
numbers or quantities that can be measured or
counted. It is also called “data item”
 Classifications of
Variable
Numeric variables - These are variables with value that
describe measurable or numerical quantity and answers
the questions, “how much or how many”. These values
are considered as quantitative data.
a. Continuous variable – These variables can assume
any value between a certain set of real numbers.
These values depend on the scale used. Continuous
variables are also called internal variable. Some
examples are time, age, temperature and height.
b. b. Discrete variables – These variables can only
assume any whole value within the limits of the
given variables. Some examples are the number of
registered cars, number of business locations,
number of children in the family, population of
students and total number of
 Classifications of Variable

• 2. Categorical variables - These are variables with values that describe a quality or
characteristic of a data unit like "what type" or "which category".
• a. Ordinal variables - These variables can take a value which can be logically ordered or
ranked. Some examples are academic grades such as A,B,C: clothing such as XL, L, M, S;
and measures of attitudes like strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree.
• b. Nominal variables - These are variables whose values cannot be organized in a
logical sequence. Some examples are business types eye colors, kinds of religion,
various languages, and types of learners.
• c. Dichotomous variable - These variables represent only two categories. Some
examples are gender (male and female), answer (yes or no), and veracity (true of false)
• d. Polychotomous variables - These are variables that have many categories. Some
examples are educational attainment (elementary, high school, college, graduate and
post graduate), level of performance ( excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, or poor)
Classifications of Variable
• 3. Experimental variables
• a. Independent variable - These variables are usually manipulated in an
experiment. Thus, it is also called as manipulated or explanatory variable.

• b. Dependent variables - These variables are usually affected by the

manipulations of the independent variables. They are also called response or
predicted variable.
• c. Extraneous variables. These variables are also called mediating or intervening
variables. These variables are already existing during the conduct of an
experiment and could influence the result of the study. They are known as
covariate variables.
 Let’s try!

• Determine the IV and DV of the following:

• 1. The main purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two reading methods,
sight and phonics, in increasing verbal comprehension.

• 2. In an experimental study looking at classical music exposure and reading ability in

children, the researcher divided the children into two groups (Groups A and B). In Group A,
the children listened to Mozart for one hour every day for one month. In Group B, parents
were instructed to refrain from playing classical music around the child for one month. At
the end of the month, all children were given a reading comprehension test. Those who
listened to Mozart daily (Group A) scored significantly higher on the reading test.
Classifications of Variable
• 4. Non- experimental variables
• a. Predictor variables - These variables change the other
variable/s in a non-experimental study.

• b. Criterion variables - These variables are usually influenced

by the predictor variables.
Examples:
Classifications of Variable
• 5. Variables according to the number studied

• a. Univariate study - only one variable is being studied.

• b. Bivariate study - two variables are being studied
• c. Polyvariate study - more than two variables are being studied