Target

Variables are “changing qualities of characteristics” of persons or things like

age, gender, intelligence, ideas, achievements and confidence that are involved in a
research study.
In the previous module, you have learned about the application of Quantitative
Research in different fields like in anthropology, engineering, mathematics,
humanities and in education.
For the next module, it will help you understand the different kinds of variables
being used in doing quantitative research.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
a. Understand Business Environment
b. Create Business Ideas

Before proceeding further, check how much you know

about Business

Pre-Test
Direction: Match Column A to Column B. Write your answers in the blank
provided before each number.

Column A Column B
___.1 Elements or entities, or factors that can change. a. Interval Variables

___.2 Values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of b. Ratio Variables
numbers
___.3 Have values that lie along an evenly dispersed c. Dependent Variable
range of numbers when there is an absolute zero
___.4 Have values that lie along an evenly dispersed d. Independent Variable
range of numbers when there is an absolute zero
___.5 It is the factor that is observed and measured to e. Control Variables
determine the effect of the independent variable
___.6 Factors controlled by the experimenter to cancel f. Confounding Variables
out or neutralize any effect on the observed phenomenon
___.7 Those that are not actually measured or observed g. Nominal Variables
in the study. They exist but their influence cannot be
directly detected in the study
___.8 Factor that theoretically effects observed h. Variables
phenomenon but can not be seen, measured or
manipulated
___.9 Represents categories that cannot be ordered in i. Ordinal Variables
any particular way.
___.10 Represents categories that could be ordered from j. Intervening Variables
smallest to greatest.
Module III Nature of Inquiry and Research

Jump Start

For you to understand the lesson well, do the

activity that follows

Vocabulary Enrichment Direction: Complete the graphic organizer below by listing

word/s associated with the term “Variable.”

___

___ Variable ___

___

Discover
What are variables?
Each person/thing we collect data on is called an observation. Such
observation posses a variety of characteristics, it could be the same for every member
of the group and called constant. But if the characteristic of a particular observation
differs for group members, it is called a variable.
The root of the word variable is related to the “vary” which should help us
understand what variables might be. Variables are elements or entities, or factors that
can change; for example, temperature, the cost of gasoline and your weight are all
examples of variables. A variable is not only something that we could measure, but
also something that we can manipulate and something we can control.
Types of Variables
A. Continuous Variable
1. Interval Variables: Values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers. It is a variable whose data values are ranged in real interval and can
be as large as from negative infinity to positive infinity.
2. Ratio Variables: Have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is an absolute zero.
B. Discrete Variables
1. Nominal Variables: Represents categories that cannot be ordered in any
particular way. These are variables whose data is non-numeric labels that do
not reflect quantitative information.
2. Ordinal Variables: Represents categories that could be ordered from
smallest to greatest. It refers to variables where there is meaningful order or
categories but there is no measurable distance between categories.
Types of Variables
Independent Variables: Variables which are manipulated or controlled or
changed. It is what the researcher studies to see its relationship or effects
(presumed possible cause). In other words, independent variables are those that
cause changes in the subject.
Example: In a salt tolerance experiment, the amount of salt added to each
plant’s water is an independent variable.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is a response variable or output.
It is the factor that is observed and measured to determine the effect of the
independent variable; it is the factor that appears, disappears and varies as the
researcher introduces, removes or varies the independent variable.
Example: Any measurement of plant health and growth as a result of the
independent variable.
Control Variable: Control variables are factors controlled by the experimenter
to cancel out or neutralize any effect on the observed phenomenon. A single
study cannot examine all of the variables in a situation or in a person; some
must be neutralized to guarantee they will not exert different or moderating
effects on the relationship between the dependent and independent variable.
Example: The temperature and light in the room the plants are kept constant,
and the volume of water given.
Intervening Variable: It is the factor that theoretically effects observed
phenomenon but can not be seen, measured or manipulated; its effects must be
inferred from the effects of the independent and moderate variable in the
observed phenomenon.
Confounding Variable: Those that are not actually measured or observed in
the study. They exist but their influence cannot be directly detected in the
study.
Example: (Salt tolerance experiment) Pot size and soil type might affect plant
survival as much as more than salt additions. In an experiment you would
control these potentials by holding them constant.

Explore
 Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Enrichment Activity 1: Knowing the definition of variables, check all words in the list
that can operate as a variable in r research.
___1. Water ___7. Reading comprehension ___13. Economic Status
___2. Skills ___8. Voice ___14. Gender
___3. Ghost ___9. Handwriting ___15. Temperature
___4. Experience ___10. Guardian Angel
___5. World ___11. Class size
___6. Dreams ___12. Academic Grades
Enrichment Activity 2: Read carefully the statements below and try to identify the
dependent and independent variable. Write your answers in the blank provided.
Dependent Variable: Variables that represents the outcome of the experiment.
Independent Variable: Variables you manipulate in order to affect the outcome of an
experiment.
a. A student studies 3 types of bread. He measured the time it takes to grow molds.
DV: ____________________________________________________________________________
IV: _____________________________________________________________________________
b. The masses of rats were measure after they were fed with different types of cheese
DV: _____________________________________________________________________________
IV: ______________________________________________________________________________
c. A student changes the number of hours he studies for a test to see how it affects his
test scored.
DV: _____________________________________________________________________________
IV: ______________________________________________________________________________
d. Eating breakfast in the morning can increase test scores in math.
DV: _____________________________________________________________________________
IV: ______________________________________________________________________________
 Deepen

Using your phone and internet connection, search for at least 5

titles related to your own filed of specialization (HUMSS, STEM, TVL, GAS, ABM) and
try to identify the dependent and independent variable. Use the template found below:

Research Title Dependent Variable Independent Variable

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Gauge
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers in the
blank provided before each number.
____1. Variables that have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of numbers
when there is an absolute zero are called __________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____2. Variable whose data values are ranged in real interval and can be as large as
from negative infinity to positive infinity are ________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____3. Categories that cannot be ordered in any particular way are called ___________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____4. The factor that is observed and measured to determine the effect of the
independent variable in an experiment is __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____5. Factors controlled by the experimenter to cancel out or neutralize any effect on
the observed phenomenon are __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____6. Factors that theoretically effects observed phenomenon but cannot be seen,
measured or manipulated are __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____7. Variables that are not actually measured or observed in the study are ________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Confounding Variable d. Intervening Variable
____8. Number of students taking a statistics course is an example of what type of
variable?
a. Discrete Variable c. Independent Variable
b. Continuous Variable d. Intervening Variable
____9. Number of cars is an example of what type of variable?
 a. Discrete Variable c. Independent Variable
b. Continuous Variable d. Intervening Variable
____10. Variables that are held constant are called _______.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____11. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what is
the independent variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____12. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what is
the dependent variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____13. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what is
the intervening variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____14. In the statement; “How Stress Affects the Mental State of Human beings,”
what is the dependent variable?
a. Stress c. Mental health of human being
b. Both A and C d. None of these
____15. In the statement; “How Stress Affects the Mental State of Human beings,”
what is the independent variable?
a. Stress c. Mental health of human being
b. Both A and C d. None of these

____A 1. Which of the following refers to a systematic empirical investigation of

occurrences that is observable using statistical, mathematical or computational
techniques?
a. Quantitative Research c. Qualitative Research
b. Research Design d. Variable
____D 2. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about quantitative research?
a. Quantitative research makes use of numerals in the interpretation of results.
b. The objective of quantitative research is to employ theories to test a
phenomenon
c. Quantitative research directs you to focus on thing
through statistics d. None of these
____B 3. Which of the following refers to the framework of research?
a. Quantitative Research c. Qualitative Research
b. Research Design d. Variable
____B 4. Which of the following research designs allows the researcher to examine the
phenomenon with reference to time?
a. Descriptive c. Correlational
b. Developmental d. Epidemiological
____A 5. Which of the following research designs is used in observing, documenting
and describing a phenomenon occurring in natural setting without any manipulation
or control?
a. Descriptive c. Correlational
b. Developmental d. Epidemiological
____A 6. The design that design that lets the researcher connect the present to the
future and starts with the cause and arrive with a presumed effects is __________.
a. Prospective Research Design c. Retrospective Research Design
b. Cross-sectional design d. Cohort Design
____C 7. A design where the researcher studies the current situation by seeking facts
and figures from the past is ________.
a. Prospective Research Design c. Retrospective Research Design
b. Cross-sectional design d. Cohort Design
____D 8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?
a. It makes use of structured research instruments.
b. It is conducted on significant sample size that represents the population to
assure the reliability of results.
c. Quantitative studies could be repeated that gives a high reliability of results.
d. It makes use of words in interpreting results.
____A 9. Which of the following is NOT a strength of quantitative research?
a. This method does not consider the meaning behind social phenomenon
b. You can collect more information quickly
 c. Quantitative Research uses randomized samples
d. Results duplication is possible
____D 10. Which of the following is a weakness of Quantitative Research?
a. This method does not consider the meaning behind social phenomenon.
b. Quantitative research studies can be very expensive.
c. There is no access to specific feedback in quantitative research.
d. All of these

Module 3 Key Answer

Direction: Match Column A to Column B. Write your answers in the blank
provided before each number.
 Column A Column B
H.1 Elements or entities, or factors that can change. a. Interval Variables

B .2 Values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of b. Ratio Variables

numbers
A .3 Have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range c. Dependent Variable
of numbers when there is an absolute zero
D .4 Variables that are manipulated, controlled or d. Independent Variable
changed.
C .5 It is the factor that is observed and measured to e. Control Variables
determine the effect of the independent variable
E .6 Factors controlled by the experimenter to cancel out f. Confounding Variables
or neutralize any effect on the observed phenomenon
F .7 Those that are not actually measured or observed in g. Nominal Variables
the study. They exist but their influence cannot be
directly detected in the study
J .8 Factor that theoretically effects observed h. Variables
phenomenon but can not be seen, measured or
manipulated
G .9 Represents categories that cannot be ordered in any i. Ordinal Variables
particular way.
I .10 Represents categories that could be ordered from j. Intervening Variables
smallest to greatest.

Vocabulary Enrichment Direction: Complete the graphic organizer below by listing

word/s associated with the term “Variable.”
Note: Student’s response may vary.
Enrichment Activity 1: Knowing the definition of variables, check all words in the list
that can operate as a variable in research.
/1. Water /7. Reading comprehension / 13. Economic Status
/2. Skills 8. Voice / 14. Gender
3. Ghost / 9. Handwriting / 15. Temperature
/4. Experience 10. Guardian Angel
5. World / 11. Class size
6. Dreams / 12. Academic Grades

Enrichment Activity 2: Read carefully the statements below and try to identify the
dependent and independent variable. Write your answers in the blank provided.
Dependent Variable: Variables that represents the outcome of the experiment.
Independent Variable: Variables you manipulate in order to affect the outcome of an
experiment.
a. A student studies 3 types of bread. He measured the time it takes to grow molds.
DV: Time it takes to grow molds
IV: Type of bread
b. The masses of rats were measure after they were fed with different types of cheese
DV: Masses of rats
IV: Types of cheese
c. A student changes the number of hours he studies for a test to see how it affects his
test scored.
DV: Test score
IV: Hours studies
d. Eating breakfast in the morning can increase test scores in math.
DV: Test score
IV: Eating breakfast
Deepen:
Note: Student’s answer may vary.
Using your phone and internet connection, search for at least 5 titles related to your
own filed of specialization (HUMSS, STEM, TVL, GAS, ABM) and try to identify the
dependent and independent variable. Use the template found below:

Research Title Dependent Variable Independent Variable

1.

2.

3.

4.
5.

Gauge:
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers in the
blank provided before each number.
____D 1. Variables that have values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is an absolute zero are called __________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____A 2. Variable whose data values are ranged in real interval and can be as large as
from negative infinity to positive infinity are ________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____A 3. Categories that cannot be ordered in any particular way are called
___________.
a. Interval Variables c. Ordinal Variable
b. Nominal Variable d. Ratio Variable
____A 4. The factor that is observed and measured to determine the effect of the
independent variable in an experiment is __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____B 5. Factors controlled by the experimenter to cancel out or neutralize any effect
on the observed phenomenon are __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____D 6. Factors that theoretically effects observed phenomenon but cannot be seen,
measured or manipulated are __________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____B 7. Variables that are not actually measured or observed in the study are
________.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Confounding Variable d. Intervening Variable
____D 8. Number of students taking a statistics course is an example of what type of
variable?
a. Discrete Variable c. Independent Variable
b. Continuous Variable d. Intervening Variable
____ D 9. Number of cars is an example of what type of variable?
a. Discrete Variable c. Independent Variable
b. Continuous Variable d. Intervening Variable
____B 10. Variables that are held constant are called _______.
a. Dependent Variables c. Independent Variable
b. Control Variable d. Intervening Variable
____A 11. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what
is the independent variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____C 12. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what
is the dependent variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____B 13. In the statement; “Higher Education typically leads to higher income,” what
is the intervening variable?
a. Higher Education c. Higher income
b. Better occupation d. None of these
____C 14. In the statement; “How Stress Affects the Mental State of Human beings,”
what is the dependent variable?
a. Stress c. Mental health of human being
b. Both A and C d. None of these
____A 15. In the statement; “How Stress Affects the Mental State of Human beings,”
what is the independent variable?
a. Stress c. Mental health of human being
b. Both A and C d. None of these
References
Books
Baraceros, Esther L. 2016. Practical Research II. Manila: Rex Book Store.
Paler-Calmorin, Laurentina. 2017. Research and Thesis Writing. Manila: Rex Book
Store.

Website
2017. America's Environemntal College. March 23. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://unity.edu/sustainability.
Begun, Audrey. n.d. Overview of Quantitaive Study Variables. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub.
Bevans, Rebecca. 2019. "Scribbr." November 21. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://www.scribbr.com.
—. 2019. Scribbr. November 21. Accessed July 25, 2020. https://www.scribbr.com.
Chaturvedi, Dr. Ankita n.d. "Slide Share." Slideshare.Net. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://www.slideshare.net.
Moreno, Sebastian. 2020. "Quora." Quora.com. July 12. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://www.quora.com.
Mustafa, Ali. n.d. "SlideShare." SlideShare.Net. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://slideshare.net.
2020. Science Questions and Answers. Accessed July 26, 2020.
https://www.enotes.com.