VARIABLES

 

VARIABLES

Variable is concerned with variation in presence of something in person, object, animal, place or situation or in any natural phenomena.

Types of Variables:

Independent Variable:

The variable, value of which affects the value of another variable is known as independent variable. Such variable is not affected by the change in the value of another variable but affects the value of another variable. Generally, effect of such variable on another variable is measured or studied during research studies. Independent variable is also known as absolute variable.

Dependent Variable:

The variable, value of which may change due to change in the value of another variable is called dependent variable.

 Examples: In comparative study of Mathematical Reasoning Ability (MRA) of students in the context of their Intelligence, MRA will be dependent variable and Intelligence will be considered as an independent variable because in this study, the impact of Intelligence on MRA is to be checked. Researcher may divide the students according to level of their intelligence. Levels of intelligence may be high, low and medium or very high, high, medium, low and very low. Levels will be decided according to the need and objectives of study.

Moderator variables: We know that independent variable affects the value of dependent variable and there has been cause and effect relationship between these two. The variable that affects the cause-and-effect relationship between these two variables is called moderator variable. It means the effect of independent variable on dependent variable may be different in the presence of moderator variable.

Controlled Variable: If the effect of such variables that can affect the cause and effect relationship of dependent and independent variable, is eliminated, it is called controlled variable. In other words, if the effect of moderator variable is controlled, it is known as controlled variable.

Variables of Study

                Variable                          Type of Variable            Level of Variable

        Area                                    Independent             Urban / Rural /Semi Urban

  Socio –Economic Status               Moderator             Higher /Middle / Lower

             Gender                                   Controlled                     Male

             Value Awareness                   Dependent

 

Intervening Variable: Any moderator variable, that cannot be measured or observed clearly or ignored is called intervening variable. Such variables may affect the cause-and-effect relationship of dependent and independent variables but either cannot be measured clearly or is to be ignored during research.

 

Examples:

·       School Environment

·        Social environment

·       Culture of family

·        Value Awareness of Parents

·        Extra Reading

·        Peer group of Student

·        Emotional Maturity of Students

·       Parenting style of parents

·        Age of student

Extraneous variables / Confounding: Variables are not the independent variable, but could affect the results of the experiment. Hence, all the other variables that could affect the dependent variable to change must be controlled. These other variables are called extraneous or confounding variables.