What is variable

Types of variable
 An image, perception or concept that is capable of CHAPTER 5
measurement- hence capable of taking on different Identifying Variables
values.
 Concept that can be measured.

Causal Relationship
The difference between a concept and a variable Unit of
to investigate a causal relationship Study design
 Measurability is the main difference between a concept and a or association,4 sets of variables measurement
may operate:-
variable
Independent Variables
1. Concepts -- Concepts are mental images or perceptions Active variables Quantitative
the cause supposed to be
responsible for bringing about those variables that can variables
 Subjective impression change(s) in a phenomenon or be manipulated, changed
 No uniformity situation. or controlled
 As such cannot be measured Continuous
Dependent Variables
E.g : Effectiveness, Satisfaction, Impact, Excellent, High achiever, variables
Attribute variables
outcome or change(s) brought about
by introduction of an independent those variables that cannot be
2. Variables -- Variables are measurable variable. manipulated, changed or
controlled, and that reflect the Quantitative
 Measurable though the degree of precision varies from scale to Extraneous Variables characteristics of the study variables
population. e.g: age, gender
scale and from variable to variable (e.g. attitude – subjective, several other factors operating in a
income – objective) real-life situation may affect Categorical or discrete
changes in the dependent variable.
variables
E.g: gender, attitude, age, income, weight, height, religion
-- measured on nominal or
Intervening Variables
ordinal measurement scales
it links the independent and D.V. In
Types of measurement scale certain situations the relationship
between an independent and a D.V
Stevens has classified the different types of measurement scale into 4 cannot be established without the
Constants Dichotomies Polychromies
categories: intervention of another variable.
has only two categories. can be divided into more
has only one category
E.g:male/female,yes/no, than 2 categories, e.g:
*Nominal or classificatory scale *Ordinal or ranking scale or value. E.g: taxi, tree
good/bad religion, political parties,
*Interval scale *Ratio scale