Concept of Variables in Research by Vikramjit Singh

Different types of research variables have been explained here. Variables like Confounding Variables; Extraneous Variables; Intervening Variables; Independent Variables; Dependent Variables; Control Variables; Organisimic Variables; Criterion Variables; Predictive Variables; Study Variables; Categorical Variables; Discrete Variables; Ordinal Variables; Nominal Variables; Ratio Variables; Interval Variables; Dichotomous Variables etc.

1. CONCEPT OF
VARIABLES IN
RESEARCH
DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH

2. CONCEPT OF
VARIABLES IN
RESEARCH
DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH

3. MEANING OF VARIABLES:
1
In research, variables are elements,
characteristics, or factors that can be measured,
controlled, or manipulated. They are the building
blocks of research studies, allowing researchers to
understand and analyze relationships, patterns, and
phenomena.
Ex- Achievement Scores, Gender, Weight, Height

4. IMPORTANCE OF VARIABLES
2 Variables serve several crucial functions in research:
1. Measurability: Variables enable researchers to quantify and
analyze aspects of interest, making data collection and analysis
systematic and objective.
2. Causality: By studying the relationship between independent and
dependent variables, researchers can assess causality and
determine how changes in one variable affect another.

5. IMPORTANCE OF VARIABLES
2
Variables serve several crucial functions in research
3. Control: Researchers can control or manipulate independent
variables to observe their effects on dependent variables, which is
essential for experimental research.
4. Predictive Power: Variables help in building predictive models
and understanding trends, which is valuable in making informed
decisions.

6. CHARACTERSTICS OF VARIABLES
3
Variables in research possess several characteristics:
1. Type: Variables can be categorized as independent, dependent,
control, extraneous, etc., based on their role in the study.
2. Measurement Scale: They can be measured using different
scales, such as nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio scales,
depending on their nature.
3. Variability: Variables exhibit variability, meaning they can
take on different values or categories.

7. CHARACTERSTICS OF VARIABLES
3
Variables in research possess several characteristics:
4. Quantifiability: Variables must be measurable or quantifiable,
allowing researchers to collect data and conduct statistical
analysis.
5. Reliability: For valid research, variables should yield
consistent results when measured repeatedly.
6. Validity: Variables should measure what they intend to
measure, ensuring the research is assessing the right aspects.

8. STUDY VARIABLE
4.1
The variables being part of the investigation
or study is referred to be study variables.
Example-
“Interest in Science of Secondary School Students of Patna”
Types

9. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE-IV
4.2 The variable that the researcher manipulates or
controls to observe its effect on the dependent
variable. Sometimes also termed as predictive
Variable.

Example: In a teaching method efficacy experiment,
the independent variable is the dnew method of
teaching providedto participants.
Types

10. DEPENDENT VARIABLE-DV
4.3 The variable that is observed or measured to
determine the outcome of the study, and it depends
on the independent variable.Sometimes also termed
as predictive Variable.

Example: In the same teaching method efficacy experiment,
the dependent variable is the participants' achievement
score.
Types

11. CONTROL VARIABLE-CV
4.4 Variables that are held constant or controlled to
eliminate their potential influence on the
dependent variable.


Example: In a study testing a new teaching method's impact
on test scores, the students' prior knowledge could be
controlled to ensure consistency.
Types

12. EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE
4.5 Variables other than the independent variable that
may affect the dependent variable and need to be
controlled or minimized.

Example: Room temperature, lighting conditions, or noise
levels can be extraneous variables in an experiment and
should be controlled.
Types

13. CONFOUNDING VARIABLE
4.6
A variable that is not part of the study but can
affect the dependent variable and lead to
erroneous conclusions if not controlled for.

Example: If studying the impact of a new method (IV) on
achievement (DV), participants' learning interest is a
confounding variable.
Types

14. MEDIATING VARIABLE
4.7
A variable that helps explain the mechanism or
process through which the independent variable
influences the dependent variable.

Example: In a study on the relationship between stress
reduction techniques (IV) and decreased anxiety (DV),
relaxation level can be a mediating variable.
Types

15. MODERATING VARIABLE
4.8
A variable that influences the strength or
direction of the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables, often in
interaction with each other.
Example: In an experiment on the effect of a new
teaching method (IV) on student performance (DV), a
moderating variable might be the students' prior
experience with the subject.
Types

16. CATEGORICAL VARIABLE
4.9
Variables that represent categories or groups.
Example: Gender (male, female, other) is a
categorical variable.
Types

17. NOMINAL VARIABLE
4.10
Categorical variables with no inherent order or
ranking.

Example: Colors (red, blue, green) are nominal
variables.
Types

18. ORDINAL VARIABLE
4.11
Categorical variables with a defined order or
ranking.


Example: Education level (e.g., high school, bachelor's,
master's) is an ordinal variable.
Types

19. CONTINUOUS VARIABLE
4.12
These are numerical and can take any value
within a range


Example: height, weight, or temperature.
Types

20. DISCRETE VARIABLE
4.13
Also numerical, but they can only take specific,
distinct values.


Example: the number of customers in a store at a
given time.
Types

21. BINARY VARIABLE
4.14
Variables with only two categories, they are also
termed as dichotomous variables.


Example: like yes/no, true/false, pass/fail.
Types

22. MULTILEVEL VARIABLE
4.15
Variables with more than two categories.

Example: educational level (high school, bachelor's,
master's, etc.).
Types

23. ORGANISIMIC VARIABLE
4.16
Organismic variables are factors or attributes
associated with an individual that can affect
his/her behavior, actions and responses in a
given context.
Example: gender, type of school, age, weight,
personality trait etc.
Types

24. QUALITATIVE VARIABLE
4.17
Variables expressed in qualitative terms.
Example: gender, type of school, name of city etc.
Types

25. QUANTITATIVE VARIABLE
4.18
Variables expressed in quantitative terms.
Example: Marks, age, Interest score etc.
Types

26. TREATMENT VARIABLE
4.19
These are the independent variables in the
context of an experimental study.
Example: Teaching Method, Type of Reinforcement etc.
Types

27. INTERVENING VARIABLE
4.20
The variable that is not part of the study but are
affecting the dependent variable and lead to
erroneous conclusions if not controlled for.
Example: If studying the impact of a new method
(IV) on achievement (DV), participants' fatigue is
a intervening variable.
Types

28. THANK'S FOR
WATCHING