Unit 1.

3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Engage

Introduction

Fig. 1. A chemist analyzing different chemicals

A chemist usually conducts different experiments in laboratories and tries to analyze how
chemicals affect and interact with one another. They usually observe and investigate these
changes in order to reach a greater understanding. If you were the chemist, how would you
observe the interaction in the chemicals? How would you know that you are observing the
right thing?

In this lesson, we are going to learn how variables can change or conduct change depending
on its nature and role in research.

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Differentiate the kinds of variables used in quantitative research and their uses.
● Apply the different variable concepts in research appropriately.

DepEd Competency
Differentiate kinds of variables and their uses. (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3)

Explore

15 minutes
Answer this activity with a group, preferably with three to five members. Fill in the given
table on the next page.

Materials
● Permanent marker
● Manila paper

Instructions:
1. Fill in the table on the next page with the missing items.
2. Discuss your answers within the group.
3. Write your answers on the Manila paper.
4. Present your answers to the class.
5. After your group’s presentation, answer the guide questions orally.

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Cause Effect

Air pollution

Poor garbage disposal

Bankruptcy

Underemployment

Improved brand image

Good relationship with parents

Better academic performance

Violence during childhood

Guide Questions
1. How did you choose the missing items?

2. Why do you think your answers are different from the other groups?

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

3. What was the most difficult part of the task?

Explain and Elaborate

Variables in Quantitative Research

The focus when writing research, whether qualitative or quantitative in nature, is the study
of different variables. Variables are anything that can be observed by researchers, such
as a person, thing, place, situation, or even a phenomenon. Such variables can be
changed or can inflict change. Thus, as researchers, we must know about our variables
because research mainly revolves around them. Failure to understand the meaning and use
of the variables in our own research can result in a poorly done research.

Research studies use different kinds of variables that vary depending on their role and
level of measurement. Once you know how to identify them, you can also easily identify
the variables everywhere, which will serve as your starting point for your research inquiry.

Why is there a need to understand the different

types of variables in research?

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Roles
Researchers, who focus on cause and effect relationships between variables, need to
understand the differences among the roles of variables, which are as follows:
● Independent Variables
Independent variables (also called causal variables) are variables that are presumed
to cause the change in the setup. These are also factors or phenomena that may
influence another variable to change. In experimental research, independent
variables may also be manipulated to examine the specific effect an independent
variable may have toward another variable.

For example, a researcher is determining the effects of motivation on the

performance of employees. The level of one’s motivation is measured and related to
its possible effects on an employee’s performance. Therefore, motivation is
considered as the independent variable.

● Dependent Variables
Dependent variables (also called outcome variables) are variables that change
because of another variable. These are variables that are also measured by
researchers using standardized tools.

For example, a researcher is trying to determine the effectiveness of the different

coaching styles on volleyball teams. The winning streak of the teams may be
measured and may change depending on the coaching style employed by their
coaches. Therefore, the winning streak is considered as the dependent variable.

Why is it important to understand the roles of

variables in research?

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

● Mediating Variables
Mediating variables (also called intervening variables) show the connection between
the independent and the dependent variables. It can also be a mechanism by which
the independent variable can effect change on the dependent variable.

For example, a researcher wants to know the effects of working for seven days a
week on the employee’s productivity level. In this given hypothesis, a researcher
might see job satisfaction as a possible intervening variable, ensuring that the
employee is motivated enough to come to work everyday.
Independent Variable: 7-day work week
Dependent Variable: Productivity level
Mediating Variable: Job satisfaction
● Moderating Variables
Moderating variables are variables that may have a strong conditioned effect on the
relationship between independent and dependent variables. They may also portray
how the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables may
change, given different circumstances. This kind of variable may also modify the
strength of the original causal relationship between the independent and the
dependent variables.

For example, a researcher wants to know the effects of exercising on one’s weight
loss. In this case, if a researcher is going to take note of one’s gender as a factor that
can affect weight loss, it can be considered as a moderating variable as it can modify
the strength of the original relationship of the independent and dependent variable,
which are exercise and weight loss in this case, respectively.
Independent Variable: Exercise
Dependent Variable: Weight loss
Moderating Variable: Gender

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Tip
Is it a Mediator Variable or a Moderator Variable?
Identifying mediator and moderator variables may be challenging to
some researchers. Here are some tips in identifying mediator and
moderator variables:
● A mediating variable should act as a dependent variable with
respect to the independent variable but may also cause
change to the dependent variable, thus acting as an
independent variable in some way.
● A moderating variable must not be directly affected by the
independent variable and should not be a result caused by
the independent variable in any way.

● Extraneous Variables
Extraneous variables are variables that may be treated as independent or
moderating variables but should be excluded from the research study itself since
it may interfere with the research process. It is important that researchers know how
to identify extraneous variables as they may compromise the validity of the
experiment.

For example, a researcher wants to know the effect of poor garbage disposal on
pollution. All other variables that a researcher should take note of, such as
environmental factors and people, among others, may have a direct impact on the
dependent variable, which is pollution. The researcher must identify all these so that
the extraneous variable can be controlled immediately and not compromise the
validity of the research.
Independent Variable: Poor garbage disposal
Dependent Variable: Pollution
Extraneous Variables: Environmental factors, people

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Review
● Independent variable causes the change on the dependent
variable.
● Mediating variables intervene between the independent and
dependent variables.
● Moderator variables may modify the strength of the relationship of
the independent and the dependent variables.
● Extraneous variables may interfere with the research process.

Level of Measurement
Level of measurement, also called scales of measure, gives you an idea of the type of data
that you have and how the variables are measured. Understanding this will greatly help you
in deciding on the statistical analysis that you could use in your research. The level of
measurement can be divided into two: categorical and continuous levels of variable
measures. Categorical variables are variables that are qualitative in nature, which could
either be nominal or ordinal. Continuous variables are variables that are quantitative in
nature, which could either be interval or ratio.

● Nominal Variable
A nominal variable is any variable that represents different types of data that can be
categorized or may be divided into groups. There is no specific order; hence, the
frequencies for each category are only counted. Examples are race, ethnicity, and
hair color.

● Ordinal Variable
An ordinal variable is any variable that can also be categorized or may be divided into
groups, but it has a specific order or rank. Hence, the frequencies for each category
or group can be counted or ranked. However, the distance between categories
when ranked is not equivalent. Examples are year of graduation, brands of bags, and
food preferences.

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Unit 1.3: Variables in Quantitative Research

● Interval Variable
An interval variable is any variable that has numerical value. Hence, the numerical
values can be counted and ranked. In addition, the difference between ranked
categories is meaningful. For example, you know that the difference or interval
between 25°C and 35°C is the same between 10°C and 20°C. However, there is no
true zero when determining the interval in this kind of variable. If you say, -6°C, then
that means below freezing point.

● Ratio Variable
A ratio variable is an interval variable, but unlike the interval variable, it has a true
zero. Hence, it can be counted, ranked and has a meaningful difference between
values. Additionally, there is a true zero point. True or absolute zero means that
nothing exists for that variable, that zero simply means none. For instance, a
person’s weight can be counted, ranked, and you can determine the equivalent
distance between a person’s weight and another person’s weight. Moreover, if you
say that there is 0 kg, then there is no weight measured at all.

Extend

Activity 1
List down as many variables as you can with the given phenomena.

Phenomena Possible Variables

1. Climate Change

2. Political System in the Philippines