Definition of Variables and Examples

Variables are those simplified portions of the complex phenomena that you intend to study. The word
variable is derived from the root word “vary”, meaning, changing in amount, volume, number, form, nature
or type. These variables should be measurable, i.e., they can be counted or subjected to a scale.

The following examples of phenomena from a global to a local perspective. The corresponding list of
variables is given to provide a clear illustration of how complex phenomena can be broken down into
manageable pieces for better understanding and to subject the phenomena to research.

 Phenomenon: climate change

Examples of variables related to climate change:
1. sea level
2. temperature
3. the amount of carbon emission
4. the amount of rainfall

Phenomenon: Crime and violence in the streets

Examples of variables related to crime and violence:
1. number of robberies
2. number of attempted murders
3. number of prisoners
4. number of crime victims
5. number of laws enforcers
6. number of convictions
7. number of car napping incidents

Phenomenon: poor performance of students in college entrance exams

Examples of variables related to poor academic performance:
1. entrance exam score
2. number of hours devoted to studying
3. student-teacher ratio
4. number of students in the class
5. educational attainment of teachers
6. teaching style
7. the distance of school from home
8. number of hours devoted by parents in providing tutorial support

Phenomenon: Fishkill
Examples of variables related to fish kill:
1. dissolved oxygen
2. water salinity
3. temperature
4. age of fish
5. presence or absence of parasites
6. presence or absence of heavy metal
7. stocking density

 Phenomenon: Poor crop growth
Examples of variables related to poor crop growth:
1. the amount of nitrogen in the soil
2. the amount of phosphorous in the soil
3. the amount of potassium in the ground
4. the amount of rainfall
5. frequency of weeding
6. type of soil
7. temperature

Difference Between Independent and Dependent Variables

Which of the above examples of variables are the independent and the dependent variables? The independent
variables are just those variables that may influence or affect the other variable, i.e., the dependent variable.

For example, in the first phenomenon of climate change, temperature (independent variable) may influence sea
level (dependent variable). Increased temperature will cause expansion of water in the sea. Thus, sea level rise on
a global scale may occur. In the second phenomenon, i.e., crime and violence in the streets, the independent
variable may be the number of law enforcers and the dependent variable is the number of robberies.

I will leave to you the other variables so you can figure out how this works.

How will you know that one variable may cause the other to behave in a certain way? Finding the relationship
between variables require a thorough review of the literature. Through a review of the relevant and reliable
literature, you will be able to find out which variables influence the other variable. You do not just simply guess
relationships between variables. The whole process is the essence of research.