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Questions and Answers
In a study examining the relationship between maternal age and the risk of gestational diabetes, what type of variable is 'maternal age'?
In a study examining the relationship between maternal age and the risk of gestational diabetes, what type of variable is 'maternal age'?
- A dependent variable if the study aims to determine how gestational diabetes affects maternal age
- A dichotomous variable if categorized as 'under 35' or '35 and over'
- A confounding variable if it obscures the true relationship between gestational diabetes and another factor
- An independent variable if it is hypothesized to influence the risk of gestational diabetes (correct)
Which of the following actions represents discretization of a continuous variable?
Which of the following actions represents discretization of a continuous variable?
- Measuring reaction time to the nearest millisecond in a cognitive psychology experiment.
- Rounding patient ages to the nearest whole number for a demographic analysis. (correct)
- Recording the exact weight of newborns in grams in a study on infant health.
- Grouping individuals by their ethnicity into categories such as 'Caucasian,' 'African,' and 'Asian'.
In a study investigating the impact of a new drug on reducing blood pressure, researchers also note that participants' adherence to a low-sodium diet varies. If the diet has an independent effect on blood pressure, what role does it play in this study?
In a study investigating the impact of a new drug on reducing blood pressure, researchers also note that participants' adherence to a low-sodium diet varies. If the diet has an independent effect on blood pressure, what role does it play in this study?
- Dependent variable
- Independent variable
- Confounding variable (correct)
- Dichotomous variable
Consider a study where researchers aim to determine whether a new teaching method improves student test scores. What is the most critical characteristic that must be present for 'test scores' to be accurately classified as a dependent variable?
Consider a study where researchers aim to determine whether a new teaching method improves student test scores. What is the most critical characteristic that must be present for 'test scores' to be accurately classified as a dependent variable?
A researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new exercise program on weight loss. Participants' initial weights are recorded. How should 'initial weight' be classified in this study?
A researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new exercise program on weight loss. Participants' initial weights are recorded. How should 'initial weight' be classified in this study?
Which statement accurately differentiates between 'nominal' and 'ordinal' variables?
Which statement accurately differentiates between 'nominal' and 'ordinal' variables?
What is a primary function of stratifying cases and controls by smoking status when examining the relationship between alcohol consumption and ischemic heart disease?
What is a primary function of stratifying cases and controls by smoking status when examining the relationship between alcohol consumption and ischemic heart disease?
In a clinical trial for a new allergy medication, participants are asked to rate their allergy symptom severity on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'no symptoms' and 5 being 'severe symptoms'. What type of variable is 'allergy symptom severity' in this context?
In a clinical trial for a new allergy medication, participants are asked to rate their allergy symptom severity on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'no symptoms' and 5 being 'severe symptoms'. What type of variable is 'allergy symptom severity' in this context?
What is the most accurate definition of a 'dichotomous variable'?
What is the most accurate definition of a 'dichotomous variable'?
In an experimental study, a researcher finds that both the intervention and an unmeasured variable (related to subject motivation) may have influenced the outcome. How should this unmeasured variable be classified?
In an experimental study, a researcher finds that both the intervention and an unmeasured variable (related to subject motivation) may have influenced the outcome. How should this unmeasured variable be classified?
How would you classify 'blood type (A, B, AB, O)' in a research study?
How would you classify 'blood type (A, B, AB, O)' in a research study?
Researchers are studying the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth, but they do not account for differences in soil quality across different experimental plots. What is the 'soil quality' in this experiment?
Researchers are studying the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth, but they do not account for differences in soil quality across different experimental plots. What is the 'soil quality' in this experiment?
A researcher is investigating the relationship between income and happiness. Participants are asked to choose one of five income brackets. What type of variable does this represent?
A researcher is investigating the relationship between income and happiness. Participants are asked to choose one of five income brackets. What type of variable does this represent?
In a study on the effects of a new drug on reaction time, participants are divided into treatment and control groups. Both groups are given a snack before the reaction time test, but the snacks differ in sugar content. What role does 'sugar content of the snack' play in this study?
In a study on the effects of a new drug on reaction time, participants are divided into treatment and control groups. Both groups are given a snack before the reaction time test, but the snacks differ in sugar content. What role does 'sugar content of the snack' play in this study?
In testing the effectiveness of a weight loss program, researchers measure participants' weight at the beginning and end of the study. What type of measurement scale does 'weight' represent?
In testing the effectiveness of a weight loss program, researchers measure participants' weight at the beginning and end of the study. What type of measurement scale does 'weight' represent?
A public health study aims to understand if living near a major highway increases the risk of respiratory illness. Which variable's role is LEAST likely to be directly manipulated by the researchers?
A public health study aims to understand if living near a major highway increases the risk of respiratory illness. Which variable's role is LEAST likely to be directly manipulated by the researchers?
Which strategy is most effective in addressing confounding variables within a study's design phase?
Which strategy is most effective in addressing confounding variables within a study's design phase?
A researcher wants to study the effect of social media use on body image satisfaction among teenagers. They hypothesize that higher social media use is associated with lower body image satisfaction. What is the dependent variable in this study?
A researcher wants to study the effect of social media use on body image satisfaction among teenagers. They hypothesize that higher social media use is associated with lower body image satisfaction. What is the dependent variable in this study?
How does a confounding variable differ from an independent variable?
How does a confounding variable differ from an independent variable?
What is the effect of failing to account for a confounding variable in a research study?
What is the effect of failing to account for a confounding variable in a research study?
Researchers find a strong correlation between ice cream sales and crime rates. However, this relationship is confounded by hot weather, which increases both. What is the most effective way to address this confounding variable in the analysis?
Researchers find a strong correlation between ice cream sales and crime rates. However, this relationship is confounded by hot weather, which increases both. What is the most effective way to address this confounding variable in the analysis?
In a study examining the effectiveness of a new drug, researchers discover that participants in the treatment group are, on average, healthier than those in the control group at the beginning of the study. If this difference in health status affects the outcome, what threat to validity is present?
In a study examining the effectiveness of a new drug, researchers discover that participants in the treatment group are, on average, healthier than those in the control group at the beginning of the study. If this difference in health status affects the outcome, what threat to validity is present?
A researcher is comparing the effectiveness of two different therapies for depression. To account for potential differences in initial depression levels between the groups, what would be an appropriate statistical approach?
A researcher is comparing the effectiveness of two different therapies for depression. To account for potential differences in initial depression levels between the groups, what would be an appropriate statistical approach?
In a study investigating the relationship between job satisfaction and employee productivity, researchers suspect that 'employee motivation' might influence both variables. If they don't account for employee motivation, what type of variable is it?
In a study investigating the relationship between job satisfaction and employee productivity, researchers suspect that 'employee motivation' might influence both variables. If they don't account for employee motivation, what type of variable is it?
In a study on second-hand smoking, researchers collect data on participants' exposure to smoke at home and in public places. What type of measurement scale is represented by 'number of hours exposed to smoke per week'?
In a study on second-hand smoking, researchers collect data on participants' exposure to smoke at home and in public places. What type of measurement scale is represented by 'number of hours exposed to smoke per week'?
A study aims to determine the effect of a new teaching method on student performance, but it only includes students who voluntarily sign up for the new method. What potential bias should the researchers be most concerned about?
A study aims to determine the effect of a new teaching method on student performance, but it only includes students who voluntarily sign up for the new method. What potential bias should the researchers be most concerned about?
What is the consequence of ignoring 'background variables' in a study?
What is the consequence of ignoring 'background variables' in a study?
In research on a new educational program, student scores are categorized as 'Beginner', 'Intermediate', and 'Advanced'. Which of the following variable classifications is most accurate?
In research on a new educational program, student scores are categorized as 'Beginner', 'Intermediate', and 'Advanced'. Which of the following variable classifications is most accurate?
In a memory experiment, researchers measure the amount of time it takes participants to recall a list of words. This 'recall time' is best described as which type of variable?
In a memory experiment, researchers measure the amount of time it takes participants to recall a list of words. This 'recall time' is best described as which type of variable?
When converting a continuous variable such as age into categories (e.g., young, middle-aged, elderly), what is this process called?
When converting a continuous variable such as age into categories (e.g., young, middle-aged, elderly), what is this process called?
In experimental research, which strategy best minimizes unintended effects of confounding variables?
In experimental research, which strategy best minimizes unintended effects of confounding variables?
Which of these exemplifies a 'ratio scale' of measurement?
Which of these exemplifies a 'ratio scale' of measurement?
A research study found a relationship between watching violent movies and aggressive behavior in teenagers. However, it was later discovered that teenagers who preferred watching violent movies also came from unstable homes, which is a major cause of aggressive behavior. Which of the following is true?
A research study found a relationship between watching violent movies and aggressive behavior in teenagers. However, it was later discovered that teenagers who preferred watching violent movies also came from unstable homes, which is a major cause of aggressive behavior. Which of the following is true?
Researchers want to study the effect of a new reading program on students' reading comprehension scores. However, they suspect that pre-existing differences in students' reading abilities might influence outcomes. Which approach would best address this issue?
Researchers want to study the effect of a new reading program on students' reading comprehension scores. However, they suspect that pre-existing differences in students' reading abilities might influence outcomes. Which approach would best address this issue?
Suppose that a researcher is studying the effect of regular exercise on cardiovascular health. What would be the most appropriate 'dependent variable' in this experiment?
Suppose that a researcher is studying the effect of regular exercise on cardiovascular health. What would be the most appropriate 'dependent variable' in this experiment?
Which of the following represents an accurate example of an 'independent variable'?
Which of the following represents an accurate example of an 'independent variable'?
Flashcards
What is a variable?
What is a variable?
A characteristic of a person, object, or phenomenon that takes on different values and can be measured.
What are Quantitative Variables?
What are Quantitative Variables?
Variables that can be measured numerically (e.g., heights of adult males, weights of preschool children).
What are Qualitative Variables?
What are Qualitative Variables?
Variables that cannot be measured but can be categorized or ranked (e.g., classification of people into socio-economic groups, blood type).
What is a Discrete Variable?
What is a Discrete Variable?
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What is a Continuous Variable?
What is a Continuous Variable?
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What are Nominal Variables?
What are Nominal Variables?
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What are Dichotomous Variables?
What are Dichotomous Variables?
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What are Ordinal Variables?
What are Ordinal Variables?
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What is an Attribute Variable?
What is an Attribute Variable?
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What is an Independent Variable?
What is an Independent Variable?
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What is a Dependent Variable?
What is a Dependent Variable?
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What is a Confounding Variable?
What is a Confounding Variable?
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What is Nominal Measurement?
What is Nominal Measurement?
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What is Ordinal Measurement?
What is Ordinal Measurement?
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What is Interval Measurement?
What is Interval Measurement?
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What is Ratio Measurement?
What is Ratio Measurement?
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Study Notes
Variables
- Variables are characteristics applicable to people, objects, or phenomena, assuming distinct values across different instances, are measurable
Variables: Examples
- Examples of Variables are heart rate, heights of adult males, weights of preschool children, and ages of patients in a dental clinic
Data vs Variable: Gender
- Gender is a variable
- Examples of the data are Male, female, female, male, female
Data vs Variable: Age
- Age in years is a variable
- Examples of the data values, are 20, 22, 20, 21, 20, 22, 21
Data vs Variable: Weight
- Weight in kilograms is a variable
- Example data values are 60, 55, 52, 50, 61
Data vs Variable: Certificates
- Type of secondary school certificate is a variable
- Example data values are Sudanese, Arabic, Arabic, Arabic, Sudanese
Classification of Variables: Quantitative
- Quantitative variables can be measured
- Numerical and include examples like the heights of adult males and weights of preschool children
Classification of Variables: Qualitative
- Qualitative variables cannot be measured but can be ordered or ranked
- Categorical and include socio-economic groups, blood group (A, B, O, or AB), and color (blue, green, brown, black)
Quantitative Variables: Discrete
- Discrete variables show gaps or interruptions in values
- Represented by the number of daily admissions to a hospital or decayed, missing, or filled teeth per child in elementary school
Quantitative Variables: Continuous
- Continuous variables assume any value within a specified interval
- Represented as height, weight, and skull circumference.
- There is always a value in between two people's heights
Qualitative Variables: Categorical
- Categorical variables values that are not numerical, like gender, race, drug, and disease status
Qualitative Variables: Nominal
- Nominal variables data is unordered, examples are gender (M, F), exam result (P, F), blood group (A, B, O, or AB), and color (blue, green, brown, black)
- A subset is binary or dichotomous where variables have only two categories, like gender with designators of 1=Male, 2=Female
Qualitative Variables: Ordinal
- Ordinal variables data is ordered, examples are AGE (1=10-19 years, 2=20-29 years, 3=30-39 years)
- Other examples are pain level, tumors (stage), military rank, response to treatment, severity of disease, income status
Manipulation of Variables
- Continuous variables can be discretized, rounding age to whole numbers
- Continuous/discrete variables can be categorized, using age categories or weight classes
- Categorical variables can be recategorized, lumping from 5 categories down to 2
Types of Variables
- Variables can be further classified into Dichotomous variables, Background variables (attribute), Dependent variables, Independent variables and Confounding variable (extraneous)
Dichotomous Variables
- Dichotomous variables vary in only two values
- Examples are Male vs. female, Alive vs. dead, Day vs. night
Attribute Variables (Background)
- Attribute variables, those known as universal variables, are pre-existing characteristics that the researcher simply observes and measures
- Examples are attributes such as age, sex, ethnic group
- Background variables are dependent or independent in some situations, based on the hypothesis of study
Dependent and Independent Variables
- Independent variables are believed to influence the dependent variable
- Dependent variables are influenced by the independent variable
Dependent Variable
- The dependent variable is used to describe or measure the problem under study
- Dependent variables function as outcome or effect variables
Independent Variable
- The independent variable is is used to describe or measure the factor assumed to cause or influence the problem
- It is considered an input or cause variable
Dependent and Independent Variables: Examples
- Smoking causes lung cancer, dependent variable is lung cancer
- Nursing care causes rapid recovery, dependent variable is rapid recovery
- Drug (a) causes Improvement, dependent variable is improvement
Extraneous Variable (Confounding)
- An extraneous or confounding variable affects the relationship between the dependent and independent variables
- Air pollution interferes with studying the relationship between smoking and lung cancer
Example - Study 1
- A study aims to determine the effects of risk factors (age, nutrition, smokers in the family) on the incidence of respiratory infections in children under 5
- The dependent variable is incidence of ARI (Acute respiratory illness)
- The independent variables are age, nutritional status, presence of smokers in the family
Study II
- The study was designed to determine maternal mortality
- Aim of study was to find out the effect if age, parity, nutritional status, smoking, weight, and occupation on the rate maternal mortality
- The dependent variable is incidence of maternal mortality
- The independent variables are age, parity, nutritional status, smoking, weight and occupation
Study III
- The personal factors studied: age, duration of employment, educational level, personality, and job satisfaction
- The dependent variable is incidence of work accidents
- The independent variables are age, duration of employment, educational level, personality and job satisfaction
Confounding Variable (Intervening)
- This is a variable is associated with the problem and a possible cause and studied to influence the effects of independent variables on the dependent variables
- Confounding variables work significantly in case-control study designs.
Confounding Variable Example 1
- Bottle-feeding (independent variable) affects Diarrhea (dependent variable)
- Mother's education impacts the relationship and is considered a confounding variable
Confounding Variable Example 2
- Mother's education (independent variable) affects malnutrition (dependent variable)
- Family income impacts the relationship and is considered a confounding variable
Confounding Variable Example 3
- A case control study aims to investigate etiological association between alcohol consumption and Ischemic heart disease
- The cases are patients with ischemic heart disease, the controls are those without
- The case group contained a greater proportion of smokers than the control group
- Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of ischaemic heart disease and known to be both socially and culturally correlated with alcohol consumption
Confounding Variable Example 3: Answer
- Because smoking intervenes or influences the relationship between the ischemic heart disease, smoking is a confounding variable
To solve the problem
- By stratifying the cases and controls according to smoking status and looking for an association between alcohol consumption and ischemic heart disease separately for smoker and non-smokers
Universal (Background) Variables
- Background variables (personal data) should be considered for possible inclusion in study because they have relevance in investigations
- Examples: age, sex, marital status, parity, education, occupation, economic status, residence
Measurement
- Measurement of levels is the relationship among the values assigned to a variable and its attributes
Levels of Measurement
- Nominal: naming
- Ordinal: rank order
- Interval: equal intervals between values
- Ratio: equal intervals with true zero
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