VARIABLE

S
PR 2 MODULE 3

MARY ANN A. OTERO

Teacher
• Read and comprehend the
meaning of variable and its
function;
• Differentiate the kinds of
variables and their uses via
graphic organizer; and
• Identify the independent and
depend variable from the
given research title.
OBJECTIVES
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Directions: Analyze the picture and state how
many variables you can find on it.

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WHAT IS THE MEANING OF VARIABLE?

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 • any factor or property that a researcher measures,
VARIABLES controls and/or manipulates.
• The changing quantity or measure of any factor, trait
or condition that can exist in differing amounts or
types.
• A logical set of attributes, characteristics, numbers or
quantities that can be measured or counted
• Also called a data item.
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 CLASSIFICATIONS OF VARIABLES

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1. NUMERIC
VARIABLES
• These are variables with values that describe
a measurable numerical quantity and answer
the questions “how many” or “how much”.
• These values are considered quantitative
data.

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TYPES
:
A.CONTINUOUS VARIABLES
• Can assume any value between
a certain set of real numbers
and the values depend on the
scale used.
• Also called interval variables
• Some examples: age time,
temperature, height, weight
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B.DISCRETE VARIABLES
• Can assume any whole value
within the limits of the
given variables.
• Some examples: no. of
registered cars, no. of business
locations, no. of children in the
family, populations of students,
total no. of working faculty
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2. CATEGORICAL VARIABLES
• With values that describe a quality or
characteristics of a date unit like “what
type” or ‘which category”

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TYPES
:
A. ORDINAL VARIABLES
• Variables that can take up a value which can be
logically ordered or ranked.
• Some examples: academic grade such as A,B,C;
clothing size such as X,L,M,S; and measures of attitudes
like strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly
disagree

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TYPES
:
B. NOMINAL VARIABLES
• Variables whose values cannot be organized in a
logical sequence.
• Some examples: business types, eye color, kinds of
religions, various languages and types of learners

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TYPES
:
C. DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLES
• Variables represents only two categories.
• Some examples: gender (male and female); answer
(yes or no); veracity ( true or false)

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TYPES
:
D. POLYCHOTOMOUS VARIABLES
• Variables that have many categories.
• Some examples: educational attainment (elementary,
high school, college, graduate and post graduate), level
of performance ( excellent, very good, good,
satisfactory or poor)

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3. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES
• describes the factors that differ between
the test and the control samples, which
you are investigating.

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1. Independent Variables (IV)
Independent Variables (IV) are those that
are suspected of being the cause in a causal
relationship. If you are asking a cause and
effect question, your IV will be the variable
(or variables if more than one) that you
suspect causes the effect.
1. Independent Variables (IV)
There are two types of Independent Variable:
A. Active independent variables - are interventions
or conditions that are being applied to the
participants.

A special tutorial for the third graders, a new

therapy for clients, or a new training program being
tested on employees would be active IVs.
1. Independent Variables (IV)
B. Attribute independent variables - are intrinsic
characteristics of the participants that are suspected of
causing a result.

For example, if you are examining whether

gender—which is intrinsic to the participants—
results in higher or lower scores on some skill,
gender is an attribute IV.
1. Independent Variables (IV)

Independent Variables are usually

called predictor or criterion variable. It
is known as the CAUSE variable.
2. Dependent Variables (DV)
Dependent Variables (DV) are those that are
influenced by the independent variables. If you
ask, "Does A cause [or predict or influence or
affect, and so on] B?" then B is the dependent
variable (DV).
2. Dependent Variables (DV)
Dependent Variables (DV) are variables that depend on
or are influenced by the independent variables.

Dependent Variables (DV) are outcomes or results of the

influence of the independent variable. The dependent
variable receives the intervention.
2. Dependent Variables (DV)

Dependent Variables (DV) are usually

called OUTCOME or EFFECT
variables.
3. Extraneous Variables (EV)
Extraneous Variables (EV) can be age,
gender, or personality traits may suddenly
surface to create effects on the relationship
of the two basic variables (IV & DV).
4. Intervening variable (IV)
Intervening variable is a kind of
extraneous variable that directly establishes
the link between IV and DV. It is the primary
cause of the change in DV.
5. Confounding Variables
There is a special class of extraneous
variables called confounding variables.
Confounding variables can affect how IV
acts on DV, which can lead to a false result
or effect on DV.
EXAMPLE
:1. Title of Research: An Experiment on the Methods of Teaching and
Language Achievement Among Elementary Pupils
Independent Variable : Method of Teaching
Dependent Variable : Language Achievement
Extraneous Variable: Ventilation facilities,
physical ambiance
2. Title of Research : Use of the Gardening Tools and Types of Fertilizers:
Their Effect on the Amount of Harvest
Independent Variable : Use of gardening tools and types of fertilizers
Dependent Variable : Amount of harvest
Extraneous Variable: Humidity level, types of seeds/plant

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EXAMPLE
:1. Title of Research: Competencies of Teachers and Students’ Behavior in
Selected Private Schools
Independent Variable : Competencies of Teachers
Dependent Variable : Students’ Behavior

1. Title of Research : Conduct of Guidance Counseling Programs and

Degree of Absenteeism and Drop Out Rate Among Grade 12 Classes
Independent Variable : Conduct of Counseling Programs
Dependent Variable : Degree of Absenteeism and Drop Out Rate

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4. VARIABLES ACCORDING
TO THE NUMBER BEING
STUDIED

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TYPES
: 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

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 • A variable is any factor or property that a researcher
SUMMARY:
measures, controls, and/or manipulates in a research
study.
• The different classifications of research variables
are as follows:
• Nominal - discreet or continuous
• Categorical – ordinal or discreet; dichotomous or
polychotomous
• Experimental – independent, dependent, extraneous
• Variables according to numbers being studied – univariate,
bivariate, polyvariate
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