Variables

- In a layman statement is something that can change and or can have more than one
value.
- As the name implies, is “something that varies”. Variable is also property that takes on
different values. It may be weight, height, anxiety levels, income, body temperature and
so on. Each of these properties varies from one person to another and also has different
values along a continuum.
- It is also a logical grouping of attributes. Attributes are characteristics or qualities that
describe an object. For example, if gender is a variable then male and female are the
attributes. If residence is the variable then urban, semi urban, rural become the attributes.
So, attributes here describe the residence of an individual.
- Thus, in QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH, variable is any factor or property that a
researcher measures, controls, and/or manipulates. It is also the changing quantity or
measure of any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. It is
also logical set of attributes, characteristics, numbers, or quantities that can be measured
or counted. It is also called a data item.
- It is important to define the variables to facilitate accurate explanation of the
relationship between the variables. There is no limit to the number of variables that can
be measured, although the more variables, the more complex the study and the more
complex the statistical analysis. Moreover, the longer the list of variables, the longer the
time required for data collection.
- Variables can be defined in terms of measurable factors through a process of
operationalization. It will convert difficult concepts into easily understandable concepts
which then can be measured, empirically. “It is essential to define the term as variables so
that they can be quantified and measured. That is, the variable has to be able to work for
you to operate, or becomes operational”.
Classification of Variables
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 as quantitative data.
a. Continuous- these variables assume an infinite number of values between two points''.
If we consider the continuous variable weight: between 1 and 2 Kg, the number of
values is limitless: 1.005, 1.7, 1.33333, and so on. The values depend on the scale
used.
Ex. time, age, temperature, height, and weight.
b. Discrete- these variables can only assume any whole value within the limits of the
given variables. Ex. Number of registered cars, population of students.
2. CATEGORICAL VARIABLES. These variables with values that describe a quality or
characteristic of a data unit like “what type” or “which category.” These are considered
as qualitative data.
 a. Ordinal- these variables can take value which can be logically ordered or ranked. Ex.
Size such X, L, and measures like strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly
disagree.
b. Nominal- these variables whose cannot be organized in a logical sequence. Ex.
Types, kinds of religion.
c. Dichotomous- two categories. Ex. Gender (male or female), answer (yes or no)
d. Polychotomous- many categories- Ex. Educational attainment (elementary, high
school, college, graduate, and post graduate, level of performance (excellent, very
good, good, satisfactory, or poor)
3. MEASURING VARIABLES
There are four levels of measurements on a continuum of discrete and continuous:
a. Nominal scale is used when the variables can be categorized but cannot be ranked.
E.g. gender, marital status, race, diagnosis, blood group etc.
b. Ordinal scale is one were the variables are categorized that can be ranked. Eg. Levels
of pain mild, moderate or severe.
c. Interval scale measures equal numerical distances between the intervals. It can be
categorized, as well as ranked. Eg. difference between 70 degree and 80 degree will
be same as the difference between 30 degree and 40 degree. So the interval is of 10
degree in both the categories.
d. Ratio scale measures variables which can be categorized, ranked, have equal intervals
and can represent a continuum of values. Thus, the most difficult part of planning a
research study is identifying the research variables and research design. Considerable
time and thought needs to be given to this step. Once the key variables have been
identified, then the research study can be developed.
4. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES
a. Independent variables- also called manipulated or explanatory variable.
b. Dependent variables- also called response or predicted variable.
c. Extraneous variables- 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.
Example:
Title: An experiment on the Methods of Teaching and Language Achievement
among
Elementary Pupils
Independent variable: Methods of teaching
Dependent variable: Language achievement
Extraneous variable: Ventilation facilities; Physical ambiance
Note: “Extraneous variables that are not recognized until the study is in process or are
recognized before the study is initiated but cannot be controlled, are referred to as confounding
variables”. On the other hand, there are certain external variables that may influence the
relationship between the research variables, even though researcher cannot see it, these variables
are called intervening variables. For example, girl's knowledge and practices helps in
maintaining menstrual hygiene. Here, motivation, mother and friends, mass media, are some
intervening variables which may also help in maintaining menstrual hygiene. Thus, if these two
factors are not controlled it would be impossible to know what the underlying cause really is.

5. NON-EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES
a. Predictor variables- these are variables the other variable/s in a non-experimental
study.
b. Criterion variables- these variables are usually influenced by the predictor variables.
Example:
Title: Competencies of Teachers and Students’ Behavior in Selected Private
Schools
Predictor variable: Competencies of teachers
Criterion variable: Students’ behavior
6. Variables according to the number being 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.
7. DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
- Demographic variables are characteristics or attributes of subjects that are collected to
describe the sample”. They are also called sample characteristics. It means these
variables describe study sample and determine if samples are representative of the
population of interest. Although demographic variables cannot be manipulated,
researchers can explain relationships between demographic variables and dependent
variables
Some common demographic variables are age, gender, occupation, marital status, income
etc.
8. ATTRIBUTES and ACTIVE VARIABLES
Variables are often characteristics of research subjects, such as their age, health beliefs,
or weight etc. ''Variables which cannot be manipulated are attribute variables and
the variables that the researcher creates are the active variables''. Active variables
can also be independent variables. E.g. effectiveness of communication board in meeting
the needs of the intubated patients. Communication board is an 'active independent
variable' as it can be modified according to the needs of the patients or according to the
requirement in the study and it is researcher's concept. It is also the cause i.e. independent
variable.
Attribute variable is a variable where we do not alter the variable during the study. It
can also be the independent variable, but it has limitations. Some attribute variables are
age, gender, blood group, color of eyes, etc. We might want to study the effect of age on
weight. We cannot change a person's age, but we can study people of different ages and
weights. “An active variable in one study could be an attribute variable in another study''.