This document discusses research variables and their classification. It defines variables and explains that they can be qualitative or quantitative. The main types of variables discussed are independent and dependent variables, which are seen in experimental research; research variables, which are observed without manipulation in descriptive studies; demographic variables like age and gender; and extraneous variables, which are not part of the study but could influence results. Examples are provided to illustrate each variable type.

1. RESEARCH VARIABLES
Submitted by:
Naorem Monika Devi
Lecturer
Under the guidance of
Prof. Urmila Devi Bhardwaj
Dean,SNSR
Sharda University
Urmila.devi@sharda.ac.in

2. Objectives
At the end of the class, students will be able to
- Define variables
- Explain the types of variables.

3. Variables
• Variables are the qualities, properties, or
characteristics of person, things, or situation
that change or vary.
• Measure in the form of qualitative or
quantitative

4. TYPES OFVARIABLES
Variables are classified based on their nature,
action, and effects on the variables. The
main types of the variables are as follows:
1. Independent and dependent variables
2. Research variable
3. Demographic variables
4. Extraneous variables

5. 1- Independent and dependent
variables:-
these are two variables which are
interrelated and mainly observed in
correlational, interventional, pre-
experimental, quasi- experimental, and
experimental research studies.

6. An independent variable: it is a stimulus or
activity that is manipulated or varied by the
researcher to create the effect on the dependent
variable.
A dependent variable: is the variable a
researcher is interested in. It is the outcome or
response due to the effect of the independent
variables, which researcher wants to predict or
explain.
Ex: smoking cause cancer

7. For example:- ‘a quasi-experimental
study on effect of 4- hourly chlorhexidine
mouthwash on prevention of ventilation-
associated pneumonia (VAP) among patient
admitted in selected ICU of DMCH,
Ludhiana, Punjab’.
In this study, 4 hourly chlorhexidine
mouthwashes is an independent variable and
ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the
dependent variable.

8. 2-Research variable:
• In descriptive exploratory, comparative, and qualitative
research studies, variables are observed or measured in
natural setting as they exist, without manipulating or
impossible the effect of intervention or treatment.
• Here no independent variables is manipulated and no
case-effect relationship is examined; these variables are
considered as research variables.
• Ex: knowledge regarding Covid 19 prevention

9. For example:- ‘ an exploratory study on factor
contributing to sleep disturbance among patients
admitted in selected intensive care units of
AIIMS, new delhi’.
In this research study, ‘factors contributing to
sleep disturbance’ is a research variable, which is
observed in natural setting without manipulating
it.

10. Demographic Variables.
Common demographic variables are
age, gender, educational status,
religion, social class, marital status,
habitat, occupation, income, and
medical diagnosis etc.

11. Extraneous variables:-
Extraneous variables are the factors which are
not the part of the study but may affect the
measurement of the study variables. These
variables are usually recognized and controlled
by researchers in quasi-experimental and
experimental studies; however in other research
studies also the researcher may do so wherever it
is possible. Generally, specific research design
and sample inclusion and exclusion criteria
are used to control the influence of extraneous
variables.

12. • CONTROLLED VARIABLE(DO NOT WISH TO
INCLUDE IN THE STUDY)
• DISCRETE VARIABLE (FINITE NUMBER OF VALUES,
EX: NO. OF NURSES IN WARD)
• QUALITATIVE VARIABLE (NOT NUMNERICAL
EX:TYPES OF BED, CANNULA COLOR)
-Dichotomous variable(have only 2 categories, Ex: infection
=present/absent)
-Polychotomous variable(have more than 2 categories,
Ex:types of ICU)

13. • Quantitative variable: numerical or measurable(height,
weight,pulse rate)
• Continues variable: infinite values (ex:temperature:99.6 F)
• Outcome variable
• Predictor variable
• Latent variable: abstract variable that Cannot observe directly.
Need to convert to manifested.(ex: cardiovascular disorder)
• Manifest variable: concrete variable that can observed or measure
which indicate the present of latent variable. (ex: increase bp leads
to hypertension)

15. SUMMARY
Today we have discussed about the
variables, types of variables and examples of
each variables. Without proper use variables
research statement cannot be formed
properly.

16. References:
•Sharma SK. Nursing Research & statistics. 2nd
edition. Elsevier publisher.