Practical Research 2

Quarter 1 - Module 1
WEEK 3
Nature of Inquiry and Research

LESSON 3: VARIABLES

What’s In
You have learned from the previous lessons that quantitative research is concerned about
numerical or measurable values that we can analyze statistically. How do we measure such values?
Is it measurable at all times? Do these values change? Are these values applicable for descriptive,
correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental and experimental research? In this lesson, you will
learn about the different classifications of data used in quantitative research and their examples.

What I Need to Know

Variables play a big role in quantitative research. When you intend to accomplish something
through research, the boundaries of your goal must be defined first to direct your focus into a specific
characteristic or condition through identifying the variables of your research study. Doing such
eliminates complexities and elaborate work especially for a senior high school student like you.
Knowing the different kinds of research variables also aids in smooth data collection and analysis.

What’s New

Activity 1: Let’s review!

Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. A variable manipulated by the researcher.

A. Extraneous variable C. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable D. Confounding variable
2. An example of quantitative variable is
A. Educational attainment C. Hair color
B. IQ D. Race
3. Which of the following is an example qualitative variable?
A. Monthly sales C. gender
B. Basketball player number D. IQ
4. The variable is the presumed effect of the manipulation on the object/subject of the experiment.
A. Extraneous variable C. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable D. Confounding variable
5. A type of variable that represent categories and can be ordered.
A. Nominal C. Ordinal
B. Discrete D. Ratio
6. A type of variable characterized by evenly dispersed range of numbers.
A. Nominal C. Dichotomous
B. Interval D. Ratio
7. Variables that have potential effect on the dependent variable that are not part of the study.
A. Extraneous variable C. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable D. Confounding variable
8. A variable that is used to name, categorize or label the attributes being measured.
A. Nominal C. Ordinal
B. Interval D. Ratio
9. What type of variable is gender?
A. Nominal C. Dichotomous
B. Interval D. Continuous
10. The height of students before and after taking growth enhancers for 2 months is what type of
variable?
A. Nominal C. Dichotomous
B. Interval D. Continuous

What Is It
In order to get an answer to an inquiry that they are investigating, researchers will observe
and measure a quality or quantity of the object of the study. It is therefore imperative for the
researcher to identify the variables significant in explaining observed effects or behavior.

A Variable is anything that has a quantity or quality that varies. For instance, during the
quarantine period, your mother planted tomato seedlings in pots. Now common understanding from
science tells you that there are several factors affecting the growth of tomatoes: sunlight, water, kind
of soil, and nutrients in soil. How fast the tomato seedlings will grow and bear fruits will depend on
these factors. The growth of tomatoes and the number of tomatoes produced are examples of the
Dependent Variables. The amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil are the Independent
Variables. If there is an existing relationship between the independent and dependent variables, then
the value of the dependent variable varies in response to the manipulation done on the independent
variable. The independent variable is also identified as the presumed cause while the dependent
variable is the presumed effect. In an experimental quantitative design, the independent variable is
pre-defined and manipulated by the researcher while the dependent variable is observed and
measured. For descriptive, correlational and ex post facto quantitative research designs, independent
and dependent variables simply do not apply.

It is important to note that there are other factors that may influence the outcome (dependent
variable) which are not manipulated or pre-defined by the researcher. These factors are called
Extraneous Variables. In our example above, the presence of pests and environmental stressors
(e.g. pets, extreme weather) are the extraneous variables. Since extraneous variables may affect the
result of the experiment, it is crucial for the researcher to identify them prior to conducting the
experiment and control them in such a way that they do not threaten the interval validity (i.e.
accurate conclusion) of the result. Controlling the extraneous variable can be done by holding it
constant or distribute its effect across treatment. When the researcher fails to control the extraneous
variable that it caused considerable effect to the outcome, the extraneous variable becomes a
Confounding Variable. For example, if the tomato had been infested by pests (confounding variable)
then you cannot conclude that manipulations in sunlight, water and soil nutrients (independent
variable) are the only contributing factors for the stunted growth and poor yield (dependent variable)
of the plant or is it the result of both the independent variables and the confounding variable.

The variables can also be classified according to its nature. The diagram below shows the
different classifications:

VARIABLE

QUALITATIVE
QUANTITATIVE
(CATEGORICAL
(NUMERICAL)
)

DICHOTOMOU
A. Quantitative Variables, also called numerical variables are the type of variables used in
quantitative research because they are numeric and can be measured. Under this category are
discrete and continuous variables.

A. Discrete variables are countable whole numbers. It does not take negative values or values
in between fixed points. For example: number of students in a class, group size and
frequency.
B. Continuous variables take fractional (non-whole number) values that can either be a positive
or a negative. Example: height, temperature.

Numerical data have two levels of measurement, namely:

A. Interval are quantitative variables where the interval or differences between consecutive
values are equal and meaningful but the numbers are arbitrary. For example, the difference
between 36 degrees and 37 degrees is the same as between 100 degrees and 101 degrees.
The zero point does not suggest the absence of a property being measured. Temperature at 0
degree Celsius is assigned as the melting point of ice. Other examples of interval data would
be year and IQ score.

B. Ratio type of data is similar to interval, the only difference is the presence of a true zero value.
The zero point in this scale indicates the absence of the quantity being measured. Examples
are age, height, weight and distance.

II. Qualitative Variables are also referred to as Categorical Variables are not expressed in numbers
but are descriptions or categories. It can be further divided into nominal, ordinal or dichotomous.

C. Dichotomous are consisting of only two distinct categories or values. For example, a
response to a question either be a yes or no.

D. Nominal variable simply defines groups of subjects. Here you may have more than 2
categories of equivalent magnitude. For example, a basketball player’s number is used to
distinguish him from other players. It certainly does not follow that player 10 is better than
player 8. Other examples are blood type, hair color and mode of transportation.

E. Ordinal variable, from the name itself denotes that a variable is ranked in a certain order.
This variable can have a qualitative or quantitative attribute. For example, a survey
questionnaire may have a numerical rating as choices like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5ranked accordingly
(5=highest, 1=lowest) or categorical rating like strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and
strongly disagree. Other examples or ordinal variable: cancer stage (Stage I, Stage II, Stage
III), Spotify Top 20 hits, academic honors (with highest, with high, with honors).
What’s More
Activity 2: Identifying variables

Directions: Identify the Independent, Dependent and Extraneous variable/s in each of the following
situations.

1. Three groups of students were placed in a classroom with controlled room temperatures of 18°C,
20°C, 25°C. The math exam scores of the students were then taken and compared to the other
groups.
Independent variable: ____________________________________________________
Dependent variable: ______________________________________________________
Extraneous variable: _____________________________________________________

2. An online seller would like to know whether the indication of price on Facebook posts will attract
consumers more. He posted 50 products for sale on Facebook market, 25 of which he indicated
 the price while the remaining 25 products, did not have prices. Buyers were just instructed to send
him a “pm” if they want to know the price. He then identified which products have greater sales.
Independent variable: ____________________________________________________
Dependent variable: ______________________________________________________
Extraneous variable: _____________________________________________________

3. A housewife wanted to know which soil is best for her pechay plants: the soil purchased from an
online seller, soil from her backyard compost or the soil underneath the nearby bamboo tree. She
planted 30 pechay seeds into each soil source and then compared the growth of pechay after a
month.
Independent variable: ____________________________________________________
Dependent variable: ______________________________________________________
Extraneous variable: _____________________________________________________

4. Jenny is only borrowing the cellphone chargers of her brother, sister and mother because she lost
her phone charger. All chargers are of the same specifications as hers even though they have
different phone brands. However, she would like to know which charger and charging cable
combination would fill her phone battery the fastest. She used the following codes as her
reference and charged her phone uninterrupted using the following combination. The charging
time of the phone was then compared.

Brother’s Charger: BB Sister’s Charger: SS Mother’s Charger: MM

Brother’s Cable: bb Sister’s Cable: ss Mother’s Cable: mm

Combination Charging Combinatio Charging Combination Charging

time n time time
BBbb SSss MMmm
BBss SSbb MMbb
BBmm SSmm MMss

Independent variable: ____________________________________________________

Dependent variable: ______________________________________________________
Extraneous variable: _____________________________________________________

5. A teacher wanted to know which learning delivery modes (pure online, pure modular, combination
of online and modular) is most effective and has the fastest turnaround time in the submission of
accomplished activities among her Grade 12 students. She divided the students into 3 groups,
gave them the same activity sheets and asked them to submit as soon as it is completed. She
then compared the scores and completion time of the 3 groups.
Independent variable: ____________________________________________________
Dependent variable: ______________________________________________________
Extraneous variable: _____________________________________________________

Activity 2: Classifying variables

Directions: Identify the following variable as either qualitative or quantitative. Then classify which
specific category they belong.

Data Type of variable Classification

(Qualitative/ (Discrete, continuous,
Quantitative) interval, ratio, nominal,
dichotomous, ordinal)
Ex. Number of eggs laid by chickens Quantitative Discrete, interval
1. Amount of fertilizer given to plants
2. Weight of Pechay harvested (in grams)
3. Speed of car
 4. Tomato plant variety
5. Color of alcohol packaging (blue,
orange, white, pink)
6. Educational level of parents (high school
grad, college grad, MS, PhD)
7. Online seller satisfaction rating (1-5
stars)
8. Cellphone brand
9. Number of Covid-19 positive cases
10. Type of music
11. Number of passengers in a PUJ
12. Socio-economic status
13. Gender
14. Temperature in Fahrenheit
15. Civil Status

Activity 3: Let’s Go Online

Go to the link below and practice what you’ve learned from this lesson:
https://bit.ly/2TEw2o4
https://bit.ly/2X3TdtL

What I Have Learned

Directions: Explain briefly what is asked for.

1. Compare and contrast qualitative variable and quantitative variable.

2. Why are dependent and independent variables not applicable in descriptive type of research?

3. How important is it for the researcher to identify the type of variables used in the study?

4. How does confounding variable affect the validity of the study?

5. When do we use discrete, continuous, nominal, ordinal

What I Can Do

Discover who among your professors, friends or family members have MA or PhD degrees.
Know and evaluate the title of their papers and identify the independent, dependent and other
variables.

Summary
 Quantitative research uses scientifically collected and statistically analyzed data to investigate
observable phenomena.
 Characteristics of quantitative research are (1) Large sample size, (2) Objective, (3) Visual
result presentation, (4) Faster data analysis, (5) Generalized data, (6) Fast data collection, (7)
Reliable data, and (8) Replication.
 Kinds of quantitative research are (1) Descriptive, (2) Correlational, (3) Ex post facto design, (4)
quasi-experimental, and (5) experimental.
 Types of Variables: (1) Independent, (2) Dependent, (3) Extraneous, (4) Continuous, (5)
Discrete, (6) Dichotomous, (7) Nominal variable and (8 Ordinal variable.
Assessment: (Post-Test)

Directions: Read and analyze the statements below. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following research questions could be answered by using quantitative research
methods?
A. What is the most popular social media platform used by Senior High School students?
B. What are the factors affecting depressive behavior?
C. How has Covid-19 pandemic affects career choices among college students?
D. None of the above
2. Which of the following statements is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?
A. Statistical analysis of numerical data
B. The results taken from a sample can be generalized to the population.
C. Provides a more credible and reliable result.
D. Provides an in-depth understanding of the problem or study.
3. In an experiment, the group that does not receive intervention is called:
A. The treatment group C. The control group
B. The participant group D. The experimental group
4. Which of the following research questions could be answered by using quantitative research
methods?
A. What is the most popular social media platform used by Senior High School students?
B. What are the factors affecting depressive behavior?
C. How has Covid-19 pandemic affects career choices among college students?
D. None of the above.
5. The following are strengths of quantitative research except:
A. Less expensive
B. Replicable
C. Speedy data analysis
D. Objective
6. Which of the statements below is a weakness of quantitative research?
A. Data gathering takes too much time
B. Interpretation of results can be influenced by the researcher’s perspective.
C. Responses of the participants are limited to what has been asked and the choices
given.
D. Low degree of subjectivity
7-8. Identify whether the following research statements are:
A. Correlational C. Descriptive
B. Quasi- experimental D. Experimental
7. Determination of the degree of satisfaction of parents, teachers, and students on the online
and modular blended learning.
8. The effects of non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise to the average daily time watching
television of housewives.
9. A type of research where the degree of relationship of one characteristic to the other
characteristic is determined.
A. Correlational C. Ex-post facto
B. Experimental D. Descriptive
10-12. Choose whether the items in numbers 11-15 is:
A. Always true C. Never true
B. Sometimes true D. Cannot be identified
10 Variables are controllable.
11. The independent and dependent variables are applicable to ALL quantitative studies.
12. A nominal variable is expressed in numbers.
13. A group of students would like to know if spending time with a cat or dog decreases the
amount of stress and allows students to perform better on tests. Which of the following is an
extraneous variable?
A. Amount of time spent with a cat or dog
B. Amount of stress
C. Test scores of students
D. Student’s feeling towards the cat or dog
14. An environmentalist measured the temperature of the water at different depths of Taal Lake
and found that the temperature varies. The temperature of water is
A. the confounding variable
B. independent variable
C. Dependent variable
D. a discrete variable
15. Which of the following is an example of a continuous variable?
A. Student’s test score
B. Learning modality used
C. Student’s IQ
D. Student’s height