Differentiating
Kinds of Variables
and their Uses
dependent
discrete
nominal
continuous interval
independent
ratio
ordinal
intervening
Identify what is asked in the following
items.
1. It refers to the characteristics that have
two or more mutually exclusive values or
properties.
2. These are variables used in quantitative
research because they are numeric and
can be measured.
3. These are variables that are not expressed
in numbers, but are just descriptions or
categories.
Identify what is asked in the
following items.
4. These variables are expressed in
countable whole numbers.
5. These variables take fractional values
that can either be positive or negative.
6. These variables simply define groups of
subjects.
7. These variables are ranked in a certain
order.
What is a Variable?
A variable
refers to the
characteristics, or
attribute of an
individual or an
organization that
can be measured
or observed.
(Cresswell, 2002)
Variables can be generally
classified as: quantitative, and
qualitative variables
Quantitative Variables
can be measured numerically. They
are the variables used primarily in
quantitative research. They can be
classified under two types:
a. discrete
b. continuous
Discrete variables can be counted. They can
only be denoted by positive whole numbers
and are not described in ranges.
Examples:
frequency of behavior
group sizes
Continuous variables are measured in
ranges and can be denoted by non-whole
numbers. Continuous variables can have
positive or negative values. They can also be
expressed as fractions.
Example:
temperature
Ratio variables are a special type of
continuous variable. This type of variable
cannot have a negative value.
Examples:
age height weight distance
test scores
Qualitative Variables
are also referred to as categorical
variables. Despite lacking numerical
value, these variables can still be used
in quantitative research. They involve
assigning values to specific categories
or groups.
Examples: blood type, color
Two Types of Qualitative or Categorical
Variables:
•Dichotomous
•Nominal
•Dichotomous
-are those that have only two distinct
categories or values. An example of a
dichotomous variable is the response to
a “yes/no” question.
•Nominal variables- have more than two
categories or values.
Examples: marital status, source of
income and citizenship
•Ordinal Variables
-are variables that exhibit the
characteristics of both quantitative and
qualitative types. They have values that
can be ranked or ordered.
-these values can be numerical like
quantitative variables.
Example: frequency is described as rare,
seldom, sometimes, almost always or
always
•Categories of Variables based
on their purpose or role
Independent variable
The independent variable is the
“assumed cause” of a problem. It is an
assumed reason for any “change” or
variation in dependent variables. An
independent variable is sometimes
treated as “antecedent” variable (the
variable before). Likewise, an
“antecedent” variable may be treated as
an “independent” variable.
Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the
variable examined for changes. It is also
considered to be the presumed effect in
experimental research.
Extraneous variable
-is any variable not categorized as a
dependent or independent variable in a
study. It is an undesired variable that
can influence the results of an
experiment.
Confounding variable
-is a special type of extraneous
variable which is a variable that a
researcher fails to control and
threatens the validity of an
experiment’s procedure.
Effects of Using Microsoft Word
on the Writing Performance of
Students
Independent Variable?
Dependent Variable?
