Variable
1. “A variable is a characteristic or attribute of an individual or an organization that (a)
researchers can measure or observe and (b) varies among individuals or organizations.”
They are the key ideas that researchers seek to collect information on to address the
purpose of their study [ CITATION Cre12 \l 1033 ].
2. “The Concept that is capable of measurement and hence capable of taking on different
values is called variable” [ CITATION Kum1 \l 1033 ]
Types of Variables
From the View Point of Causal Relationship
In studies that attempt to investigate a causal relationship or association, four sets of variables
may operate.
Independent variable:
1. “An independent variable is an attribute or characteristic that influences or affects an
outcome or dependent Variable”.
2. Also known as change variables, which are responsible for bringing about change in a
phenomenon, situation or circumstances.
3. A variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable is called a independent
variable.
1
Dependent variable:
“A dependent variable is an attribute or characteristic that is dependent on or influenced by the
independent variable”. You may find them labeled in the literature as the outcome, effect,
criterion, or consequence variables.
Example:
“Students who spend more instructional time in class on math have higher math scores than
students who spend less time.”
Independent variable: Time on math instruction
Dependent variable: Math scores
Intervening variable:
An intervening variable is an attribute or characteristic that “stands between” the independent
and dependent variables and exercises an influence on the dependent variable apart from the
independent variable. Intervening variables transmit (or mediate) the effects of the independent
variable on the dependent variable. Thus, they are also called mediating variables. As they
become bridge between independent and dependent variables, so these variables are also known
as connecting or linking variables.
Example:
Intervening variable = willingness of students to exert effort
Extraneous Variable:
Several factors which operate in real life situations may affect changes in the dependent variable.
These factors may increase or decrease the magnitude or strength of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables.
For Example:
Demographic variables such as age, gender, race, or socioeconomic level, and classroom
instruction method.
From the View Point of the Study Design
Active Variables:
Those variables that can be manipulated changed or controlled.
2
For Example:
Different teaching models
Experimental intervention
Program service etc
Attribute Variables:
Those variables that cannot be manipulated, changed or controlled, and that reflect the
characteristics of the study population.
For Example:
Age
Gender
Level of Education
Attitudes
Religion etc.
From the View Point of the Unit of Measurement
From the view point of the unit of measurement, there are two ways of categorizing variables:
Whether the unit of measurement is categorical or continuous in nature
Whether it is qualitative or quantitative in nature
Categorical Variable or Qualitative Variable
When characteristic being studied is non-numerical, it is known as qualitative or categorical
variable.
Example:
Color, gender, religion, marital status etc
Continuous Variable or Quantitative Variable
“A variable that can take on a range of values that correspond to some quantitative amount is
known as continuous variable”.
3
When characteristic being studied is numerical, it is known as quantitative or continuous
variable.
Example:
Age, Income, height, weight etc.
Bibliography
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating
Quantitative and Qualitative Research (4th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Kumar, R. (2011). Research Methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (3rd ed.). New
Dehli: SAGE Publications Ltd.
