Research problem

Variables and types

 Research problem: Variables

Variable:

Variable is a concept which can take on different quantitative

values. For example; height, weight, income, age, depression,
anxiety, stress, extraversion, introversion, resilience, self-esteem,
self-concept, etc.
The main focus of the scientific study is to analyze the functional
relationship of the variables.
A variable is a quantity which can vary from one individual to
another. The quantity which can vary from person to person.
 Research problem: Variables

Variable:

Variable is a concept which can take on different quantitative

values.
A concept that can be measured is called a variable.
According to Kerlinger, ‘A variable is a property that takes on
different values.
A variable is something that varies.
A variable is a symbol to which numerals or values are attached.

For example; height, weight, income, age, depression, anxiety,

stress, extraversion, introversion, resilience, self-esteem, self-
concept, etc.
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(i) Continuous Variable: It is that which can assume any

numerical value within a specific range. Ex. Height, weight,
time, distance, temperature.

(ii) Discrete Variable: A variable for which the individual values

fall on the scale only with distinct gaps is called a discrete
variable. Ex. No of cars owned, No of children, No of students
etc.
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(iii) Dependent Variable or Criterion variable: If one variable

depends or is a consequence of other, it is termed as dependent
variable. Criterion variable is the basis on which the effectiveness
of the experimental variable is studied. Ex. Test scores, outcome
measures.

(iv) Independent Variable or Experimental Variable: The

variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable is termed as an
independent variable. The variable whose effect is going to be
known is known as experimental variable. Ex. Treatment, drug,
therapy, risk factor, intervention.
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(v) Controlled Variable: The effectiveness of an experimental

variable is examined by comparing with other variable, known as
controlled variable.

(vi) Confounding Variable: Those aspects of study or sample, that

might influence the dependent variable (outcome measures) ,and
whose effect may be confused with the effects of the independent
variable. They are of two types; Intervening and extraneous
variable.
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(vii) Intervening Variable: There are a number of abstract

variables in educational/social experiments, which intervene the
effect of experimental or criterion variable. For controlling
intervening variable appropriate research design should be used.
Intervening variables are hard if not impossible, to observe because
they usually have to do with an individual’s feelings like boredom,
stress, fatigue, excitement etc.
 Research problem: Variables
Types of Variables:

(viii) Extraneous Variable: Independent variables that are not

related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent
variable are termed as extraneous variables.

Suppose the researcher wants to test the hypothesis that there is a

relationship between children’s gain in social studies
achievement and their self-concept.
Here self-concept is independent variable and achievement in
social study is dependent variable. Intelligence may as well affect
the social studies achievement; but since it is not related to the
purpose of the study undertaken by the researcher, it will be termed
as extraneous variable.
 Research problem: Variables

Variables

Categorical Variables Numerical Variables

Categorical
Numerical (quantitative)
(qualitative)
Variables have values that
Variables take categories
represent a counted or
as their values such as
measured quantity. It may be
“yes”, “no”, or “good”,
Discrete, or continuous
“bad”, “rich”, “poor”
 Research problem: Variables

Examples

Questions Responses Variable type

Do you like movie? Yes or No Categorical

How many movies you Numerical

have watched last week? (discrete)

How long a movie Numerical

runtime approximately? (continuous)
 Research problem: Variables
Variables

Categorical Variables Numerical Variables

Nominal Discrete

Ordinal Continuous
 Research problem: Variables

The theory of scale types proposed in 1946 by S S Stevens

focused on nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales of
measurement.
Measurement Scales
Data scale Name Order Difference is True Zero
Measureable

Nominal YES NO NO NO

Ordinal YES YES NO NO

Interval YES YES YES NO

Ratio YES YES YES YES

 Research problem: Variables

The main focus of the scientific study is to analyze the functional

relationship of the variables.
A variable is a quantity which can vary from one individual to
another. The quantity which can vary from person to person.

Types of Variables:

(i) Continuous Variable: It is that which can assume any

numerical value within a specific range. Ex. Height, weight,
time, distance, temperature.
(ii) Discrete Variable: A variable for which the individual values
fall on the scale only with distinct gaps is called a discrete
variable. Ex. No of cars owned, No of children, No of students
etc.
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(iii) Dependent Variable or Criterion variable: If one variable

depends or is a consequence of other, it is termed as dependent
variable. Criterion variable is the basis on which the effectiveness
of the experimental variable is studied. Ex. Test scores, outcome
measures.

(iv) Independent Variable or Experimental Variable: The

variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable is termed as an
independent variable. The variable whose effect is going to be
known is known as experimental variable. Ex. Treatment, drug,
therapy, risk factor, intervention.
 Research problem: Variables
Types of Variables:

(v) Controlled Variable: The effectiveness of an experimental

variable is examined by comparing with other variable, known as
controlled variable.

(vi) Confounding Variable: Those aspects of study or sample, that

might influence the dependent variable (outcome measures), and
whose effect may be confused with the effects of the independent
variable. They are of two types; Intervening and extraneous
variable.
A confounding variable is related to both the supposed cause and
the supposed effect of the study
 Research problem: Variables

Types of Variables:

(vii) Intervening Variable: There are a number of abstract

variables in educational/social experiments, which intervene the
effect of experimental or criterion variable.
Research design should be appropriate for controlling intervening
variables. Intervening variables are difficult to measure because
they are typically related to an individual’s state of mind (e.g.
boredom, stress, tiredness, excitement, etc.).
 Research problem: Variables
Types of Variables:

(viii) Extraneous Variable: Independent variables that are not

related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent
variable are termed as extraneous variables.

Suppose the researcher wants to test the hypothesis that there is a

relationship between children’s gain in social studies
achievement and their self-concept.
Here self-concept is independent variable and achievement in
social study is dependent variable. Intelligence may as well affect
the social studies achievement; but since it is not related to the
purpose of the study undertaken by the researcher, it will be termed
as extraneous variable.
Research problem: Variables
Research problem: Variables
Research problem: Variables
 Research problem: Variables
Active and Attribute Variables:
 Research problem: Variables
Composite variables:

A variable made up of two or more variables or measures that are

highly related to one another conceptually or statistically.
-- Combines two or more individual variables into one, complex
variable
-- Each variable within the composite variable must be highly
related to each other

For example, overall health – weight, blood pressure, chronic pain

 Research problem: Variables
Composite variables:

Examples for composite variable in Psychology

Executive functions

Visuospatial ability

Overall Cognitive functions/ Attention and Concentration

Global cognition
Working memory

Delayed recall

Language
Orientation
 Research problem: Variables
Composite variables:

Examples for composite variable in Psychology

Recent memory

Remote memory

Overall Memory functions Mental Balance

Immediate Recall

Delayed recall

Similar pairs
Dissimilar pairs
 Research problem: Variables
Composite variables:

Examples for composite variable in Psychology

Self-recognition

Self-regulation
All dimensions
Self-motivation are
EQ interconnections
with one another
Empathy (Inter-correlation)
Handling relations
 Research problem: Variables
Mediating and Moderating variables:

Mediating variables: Moderating variables:

Mediating variables are
prominent in psychological theory Moderating variables are
and research. A mediating variables that increase or
variable transmits the effect of an decrease the relationship
independent variable on a between the independent
dependent variable. and dependent variable.

A mediating variable explains the relationship between two other

variables.
A moderating variable affects the direction or strength of the
relationship between two other variables.
 Research problem: Variables

Math ability ------- Independent variable

Interest in the Math ------- Dependent variable
Math Self-efficacy ------- Mediating variable
 Research problem: Variables

Stress ------- Independent variable

Depression ------- Dependent variable
Social Support ------- Moderating Variable
 Research problem: Variables

Perceived Organizational Support------- Independent variable

Employee Job Performance ------- Dependent variable
Motivation ------- Mediating and Moderating Variable
 Research problem: Variables

Burnout ------- Independent variable

Anxiety ------- Dependent variable
Positive and Negative Coping ------- Mediating Variable
Extraversion --------- Moderating Variable
 Research problem: Variables

Critical Thinking ------- Independent variable

Psychological Distress ------- Dependent variable
Cognitive Distortions ------- Mediating Variable
Mindfulness --------- Moderating Variable
 Research problem: Variables

What are your Independent, Dependent variables in your study?

Is there any Mediating, or/and Moderating variable/s in your
study?