Variables & Concepts

Moazzam Ali
Concepts
Concepts are highly subjective as their
understanding varies from person to
person, and therefore, may not be
measurable. In a research study it is
important that the concepts used should be
operationalised in measurable terms so
that the extent of variation in respondents
understanding is reduced not eliminated.
Measurability is the main difference
between a concept and a variable.
Conceptan Abstraction of
Reality
Table, leadership, productivity, morale are all
labels given to some phenomenon (reality)
Concepts stand for phenomenon not the
phenomenon itself.
It may be called an abstraction of empirical
reality.
Concepts, Indicators &
Variables
If you are using a concept in your study,
you need to consider its
operataionalization, that is, how it will be
measured. In most cases, to operationalise
a concept you first need to go through the
process of identifying indicatorsa set of
criteria reflected of the conceptwhich can
then be converted into variables.
 Concepts, Indicators & Variables
Example
The concept Richness can easily be converted into
indicators and then variables. To decide objectively if
a person is rich, one first needs to decide upon the
indicators of richness.
Assume we decide upon income and assets as the
indicators.
Income is also a variable since it can be measured in
dollars, therefore, you need not to convert this into a
variable. Although the assets owned by an individual
are indicators of his/her richness, they still belong to
the category of concepts. You need to look further at
the indicators of assets. For example, house, boat,
car and investments are indicators of assets.
 Variable
A central idea in research.
Variable is a concept that varies.
Anything (concept/term) that can take on differing
or varying values.
Variation can be in quantity, intensity, amount, or
type. Examples
Production units, Absenteeism, Gender, Religion,
Motivation, Grade, Age.
Variable
If it exists, it can be measured (Babbie
1989:105)
Variables represent concepts. Like
concepts, variables are defined in words,
but, as used in social research, variables
have a special characteristic. Variables
have two or more observable forms or
values.
Concept and Variables
Concept Variable
Effectiveness Sex (male/female)

Satisfaction Income (Rs)

Impact Age

Self esteem Height

Quality Weight
Variables & Attributes
An attribute is a specific value on a
variable. For instance, the variable sex or
gender has two attributes: male and
female. Or, the variable agreement might
be defined as having five attributes:
1 = strongly disagree
2 = disagree
3 = neutral
4 = agree
5 = strongly agree
Types of Variables
Independent variable is the cause supposed to
be responsible for bringing about change/s in a
phenomenon or situation.
Dependent variable is the outcome of the
change/s brought about by changes in an
independent variable
Extraneous variables are the several others
factors operating in real-life situation may affect
changes attributed to independent variables. These
factors, not measured in the study, may increase or
decrease the magnitude or strength of the
relationship between independent and dependent
variables.
Types of Variables

Intervening variables are sometimes

called the confounding variables. They link
independent and dependent variable. In
some situations the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
cannot be established without the
intervention of another variable. The cause
variable will have the assumed effect only
in the presence of an intervening variable.
Independent, Dependent and
Extraneous Variables in Causal
RelationshipExtraneous Dependent
Independen
t Variable Variables Variable
Age of the person
Extent of smoking

Smoking Extent of Exercise Cancer

Sex (male/female)
Education
(Assumed (Assumed
cause) effect)
Thank You