10. apo nR I aT
L
e o
D e F I n I T nI o
o F
v a R I a B
L
e S
11.
12.
13. After studying this chapter,
the learners should able to:
ï¶Define what a variable is and explain its
uses in research.
ï¶Describe and compare the different types of
variables and give examples of each, and
ï¶ Identify the variables on a given study
and determine the nature of relationship
between them.
14.
15. A variable is a
concept that
stands for a variation
within a
class of objects or
persons (Fraenkel and
Wallen, 1996).
A variable is a
characteristics or
property that can
take different
values or
Variables
16. Variables are the
basic elements
which are measured
in a study.
They are observable
Variables
20. The dependent variable is
the âassumed effectâ of
another variable. It is
change that occurs in the
study population when one
or more factors are
changed or when an
intervention is introduced.Usually
dependent
variable is the
Dependent
Variable
21. The independent variable is
the
âassumed causeâ of a problem.
It is an assumed reason for
any âchangeâ or variation in a
dependent variable. An
independent variable is
sometimes treated as
âantecedentâ variable
(the variable before).
Independent
VariableLikewise, an
âantecedentâ
variable may be
treated as an
âindependentâ
22. Examples No. 1
In the study on â The Relationship
Between Exposure to Mass Media
and Smoking Habits among Young
Adultsâ, the dependent variable is
âsmoking habitsâ, while the
independent variable is â exposure
to mass mediaâ. A personâs smoking
habit is assumed to change or vary
depending on his/her mere exposure
to print or broadcast media related
23.
24. Examples No. 2
In the experimental study to test
the â Effect of Peer Counseling on
the Studentsâ Study Habitsâ, the
independent variable is â exposure
to peer counselingâ. It is assumed
that students who have been
counseled by peers will have better
study habits that those who were
not counseled by peers or those
who have been exposed to
25.
26. Examples No. 3
In the study entitled âFactors that
Influence of Extent of Participation
in Household Decision-making among
Married Professionalsâ, the
dependent variable is âthe extent
of participation in household
decisionâ making while the
independent variable is âfactorsâ,
which include the personal
characteristics of the respondents,
27.
28. The intervening variable is a
factor that works âbetweenâ
the independent and
dependent variables. It can
weaken (decrease) or
strengthen (increase) the
effect of the independent on
the dependent.
Intervening
VariableIt is also called
a âfacilitating
variableâ,
âmoderatorâ or
29. Examples No. 1
In the study on â Knowledge of the
Dangers of Smoking, Attitudes
towards Life, and Smoking Habits
of Young Professionalsâ, the
intervening variable is the âattitude
towards lifeâ. A personâd attitude
may increase or decrease the
influence of âknowledge on dangers
of smoking (independent variable)
on âsmoking habitsâ (dependent
30. ContâdâŠ
One may argue, however, that
knowledge about the dangers of
smoking may not necessarily prevent
a person from smoking if he does not
mind dying early as long as he/she
enjoys life.
31.
32. Examples No. 2
In the study on âFactors that
Influence Household Decision â
making Participation of Married
Professionalsâ, the intervening
variable âgender sensitivityâ may
affect the relationship between
âselected factorsâ (independent
variables) and âdecision-making
participationâ (dependent variable).
Men are generally expected to
33. ContâdâŠ
Older, better educated individuals
and those with big income are also
expected to participate more
actively in decision-making than
their younger less educated
counterparts. It may also be possible
that a woman with a gender sensitive
partner may also be actively involved
in decision-making, despite poor
education or low income.
34.
35. Examples No. 3
In the study on â The Effect of
Information Education Campaign
(IEC) on Land Reform on the
Farmerâs Attitude Towards land
Reformâ, the âlength of a farmer-
landlord relationshipâ is the
intervening variable. It is assumed
that this variable can strengthen or
weaken the relationship between
âexposure to IEC materialsâ
36. ContâdâŠ
A farmer may have read or heard
about the benefits of land reform,
but still reject it (negative attitude)
because of a long and close
relationship with his landlord and his
family which he does not want to be
âcut offâ by land.
37.
38. The antecedent variable is a
factor or characteristics
which is found before (ante)
the independent variable. It is
expected to influence the
independent variable/s.
Antecedent
Variable
It is usually
irreversible.
39. Examples No. 1
In the study entitled â Attitudes
Towards Land Reform and
Acceptance of the Program among
Lowland Farmers of Northern
Luzonâ. The major concern of the
study is the influence of âattitude
towards land reformâ (independent
variable) on the âfarmerâs
acceptance of the programâ
(dependent variable).
40. ContâdâŠ
The farmerâs attitude towards land
reform is expected to vary
according to their âeducation,
tenurial status and the size of the
land they ownâ (antecedent variable).
More educated farmers who own
their farm lots and are tilling more
than a hectare of land may be more
receptive of land reform than the
less educated farmers and those
41.
42. Examples No. 2
In the study entitled â Extent of
Exposure to Print Media and
Reading Ability of College
Freshmenâ, the main concern is the
relationship between studentsâ â
extent of exposure to print mediaâ
(independent variable) and their
âreading abilityâ (dependent
variable). The studentsâ exposure to
print media, however, may depend
43.
44.
45.
46.
47. ContâdâŠ
The operational definition gives a specific meaning
to the variable. The definition clarifies how a
variable or a term is used and measured in
Terms of events/units of measurement that are
observable by the senses (Fisher, et al., 1994).
These events/units of measurement serve as
indicators of the variable.
48. ContâdâŠ
The operational definition of a variable specifies
how a variable or a term is interpreted in the
study and also sets the procedure for measuring
Variable. An operational definition of a variable
used in one study may differ from that employed
in another study.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55. Mutually exclusive categories do
not overlap. Categories are
mutually exclusive when a
respondent cannot be assigned to
more than one category.
Mutually exclusive
Categories
Some variables, like
knowledge scores, can
be grouped and each group
assigned to a category such as
âhigh level knowledgeâ, âaverage
level of knowledgeâ and âlow
level of knowledgeâ. Each of
56. Example No. 1
If for instance, the operational
definition of level of knowledge
about cancer is â the number of
questions about cancer which a
respondent answered correctlyâ,
each level of knowledge may be
assigned a range of scores.
Assuming that the total possible
score is 20, the possible categories
could be:
57.
58. ContâdâŠ
In the example above the categories
are mutually exclusive because a
respondent with a score of 15 can be
assigned only to âhigh level
knowledgeâ. However, if scores are
decimal numbers, the score limits of
each level should be specified, like,
â0 to 6.5â, 6.6 to 13.5â and â13.6 to
20â.
59. Example No. 2
For a variable like âresidenceâ, if its
operational definition isâ
geographical characteristics of the
area where the respondents
permanently resideâ, the possible
answers may be categorized as
âruralâ and âurbanâ. The meaning of
âruralâ and âurbanâ , however, may
be different in other studies. The
operational definition depends on
60.
61. Categories are exhaustive if all the
possible response are included among
the options of responses. The answers
given by every respondent can be
assigned to a particular category. If a
researcher is not sure about the
exhaustiveness of the categories
identified, he/she should include
âOthersâ, the âcatch allâ category.
Exhaustive
Categories
Under this category,
responses which can not
assigned to any of the
62. Example
A list of categories like:
âProtestant, Catholic, Muslim and
Buddhistâ for responses to a
question on religion is not
exhaustive because a Mormon
cannot be classified under any of
the categories in the list.
For instance, the variable "hobbiesâ
is operationally defined as âa type
of activity a person engages in
63. ContâdâŠ
The possible categories of this
variable may be: âsingingâ, âreadingâ,
âpainting âwriting poemsâ, âsewingâ,
âOthers, specifyâ. What may not be
classified under the five specific
categories can be classified under
âOthers". However, if during data
analysis, the number of responses
falling under âothersâ exceed three,
the responses must be specified and
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78. A. Key terms to Remember
Variables
Independent
Variable
Dependent Variable
Intervening
Variable
Antecedent
Variable
Nominal Variable
Ordinal Variable
Internal and Ratio
Variables
Relationships/Assoc
iations
79. B. Questions for Discussion
1. What are variables?
2. What are the different types of
variables and how do they differ from
each other? Give at least two examples
of each type.
3. How can you measure a variable?
Illustrate using the problem you have
selected to study.
80. C. Exercise
1. Select two relational studies in the
list below (next slide) and identify
the variables in each of the
following research problems.
2. Illustrate in a diagram the possible
connections between the variables
of each study. Indicate with an
arrow the direction of assumed
relationship between the variables.
81. ContâdâŠ
3. Write an operational definition for
each variables.
4. Indicate all the possible categories of
responses for each variable.
5. Select a variable among those you
have defined, the categories of which
still need operational definition. Then
define the categories.
82. Problems
âThe Relationship Between Educational
Attainment and Fathersâ Involvement in
School Activities of their Childrenâ
âThe Experience with Sexual
Harassment of Rank and File
Employees In selected Government
Officesâ
83. ContâdâŠ
âThe Effect of Training in Total Quality
Management on the Management Skills
of Middle Level Managers of Medium-
Sized Establishment in region IVâ