Week-3 Variables PDF

Objectives: 1. Define what is a variable; 2. Differentiate the kinds of variables and their uses; and 3. Identify the independent and dependent variable from the given research title. Activity! Kinds of Variables and Their Uses  What is Variable? A variable is an entity tha...

Objectives: 1. Define what is a variable; 2. Differentiate the kinds of variables and their uses; and 3. Identify the independent and dependent variable from the given research title. Activity! Kinds of Variables and Their Uses  What is Variable? A variable is an entity that can take on different values. It is an aspect of a theory that can vary or change as part of the interaction within a theory.  Importance of Variable § Variables are important to understand because they are the basic units of the information studied and interpreted in research studies.  Classification of Variables and its Uses 1. NUMERICAL VARIABLES 2. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES 3. CATEGORICAL VARIABLES 4. NON-EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES  Classification of Variables and its Uses 1. NUMERICAL VARIABLES Ø refer to the values that describe a measurable numerical quantity and answer the “how many” or “how much and are considered as quantitative data.  TWO TYPES OF NUMERIC VARIABLES 1.1 CONTINUOUS/INTERVAL VARIABLES Øcan assume any value between a certain set of real numbers depending on the scale used. Some of the examples are time, height, (5’,6’2”), and weight (25.7kg, 156g).  TWO TYPES OF NUMERIC VARIABLES 1.2 DISCRETE VARIABLES Øcan only assume any whole value within the limits of the given variables. Some examples are the number of registered cars (1000 cars) and number of business locations (5 business location).  Classification of Variables and its Uses 2. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES Ø These are variables that determine causal relationships.  5 Kinds of Experimental Variables 2.1 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE Øpresumed to cause changes in another variable. These are usually manipulated in an experiment and also known as causal variable.  5 Kinds of Experimental Variables 2.2 DEPENDENT VARIABLES ØThese are usually affected by the manipulation of the independent variables. Example: “The Effect of Playing Music on Academic Performance of Students” 1. Independent Variable: Playing Music 2. Dependent Variable: Academic Performance  5 Kinds of Experimental Variables 2.3 CONTROL VARIABLE Ø are held constant in an experiment. It helps to identify the possible differences in the outcomes as a result of controlling certain variables. Example: “The Effect of Playing Music on Academic Performance of Students” 1. Independent Variable: Playing Music 2. Dependent Variable: Academic Performance 3. Control Variable: Class Duration  5 Kinds of Experimental Variables 4.MODERATOR VARIABLE Ødescribes how a relationship of interests changes under different conditions or circumstances.  5 Kinds of Experimental Variables 5.EXTRANEOUS/ INTERVENING Ø These variables are already existing during the conduct of an experiment and could influence the result of the study. Moderating Variable: A moderating variable influences the strength or direction of the relationship between two other variables. Example: If studying the relationship between stress (independent variable) and job performance (dependent variable), a moderating variable could be social support. The level of social support might change how stress affects job performance. Extraneous Variable: An extraneous variable is any variable other than the independent variable that could affect the dependent variable. Example: If studying the relationship between sleep (independent variable) and test performance (dependent variable), extraneous variables could be factors like noise level or caffeine intake. These variables can interfere with the results if not controlled. Example: “The Effect of Playing Music on Academic Performance of Students” 1. Independent Variable: Playing Music 2. Dependent Variable: Academic Performance 3. Control Variable: Class Duration 4. Moderator Variable: Genre of Music (Classical or Rock Music) 5. Extraneous Variable: Noise or Ventilation  Example: “The Impact of Financial Literacy Module on Financial Management 1. Independent Variable: Financial Literacy Module 2. Dependent Variable: Financial Management 3. Control Variable: Duration of Exposure to the Program 4. Moderator Variable: Financial Status 5. Extraneous Variable: Physical environment while Reading the  Classification of Variables and its Uses 3. CATEGORICAL VARIABLES Ø refer to the values that describe a quality or characteristic of a data unit like “what type” or “which category.”  4 Kinds of Categorical Variables 3.1 ORDINAL VARIABLES Ø can take a value which can be organized or ranked. Some examples are academic grades such as 100, 95, 90 and clothing size such as X, L, M, S.  4 Kinds of Categorical Variables 3.2 NOMINAL VARIABLES Ø can take a value which cannot be organized in a logical sequence or it is used for identification or classification only. Some examples are eye colors (Black, Brown or Grey) and kinds of religion (Roman Catholic, Buddhism or Islam).  4 Kinds of Categorical Variables 3.3 DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLES Ø represent only two categories. Some examples are gender (male and female) and veracity (true or false).  4 Kinds of Categorical Variables 3.4 POLYCHOTOMOUS VARIABLES Ø consists of many categories. Some examples are educational attainment (elementary, high school, college, graduate and post graduate) and performance level (excellent, very good, good, satisfactory or poor).  Classification of Variables and its Uses 4. NON-EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES Ø These are the variables which cannot be manipulated by the researcher  2 Kinds of Non- Experimental Variables 4.1 PREDICTOR VARIABLES Øcauses change or affect other variables in a non- experimental study.  2 Kinds of Non- Experimental Variables 4.2 CRITERION VARIABLES Øare influenced by the predictor variable in a non-experimental study.