Variables in research

Student preparation Rusul Basim Mohammed

Supervised by M. M. Ali Abdel Mohsen

INRODUCTION
“Variable” is a term frequently used in research projects. It is pertinent to define and identify
the variables while designing quantitative research projects. A variable incites excitement in
any research than constants. It is therefore critical for beginners in research to have clarity
about this term and the related concepts. Variable, to put in layman statement is something that
can change and or can have more than one value. ''A variable, as the name implies, is 1”
something that varies”. It may be weight, height, anxiety levels, income, body temperature and
so on. Each of these properties varies from one person to another and also has different values
along a continuum. It could be demographic, physical or social and include religion, income,
occupation, temperature, humidity, language, food, fashion, etc. Some variables can be quite
concrete and clear, such as gender, birth order, types of blood group etc while others can be
considerably more abstract and vague. “Variable is a property that takes on different 2 3
values''. It is also a logical grouping of attributes. Attributes are characteristics or qualities that
describe an object. For example if gender is a variable then male and female are the attributes.
If residence is the variable then urban, semi urban, rural become the attributes. So attributes
here describe the residence of an individual. It is pertinent for a researcher to know as how
certain variables within a study are related to each other. It is thus important to define the
variables to facilitate accurate explanation of the relationship between the variables. There is no
limit to the number of variables that can be measured, although the more variables, the more
complex the study and the more complex the statistical analysis. Moreover the longerthe list of
variables, the longer the time required for data collection.

Variables can be defined in terms of measurable factors through a process of operationalization.

It will convert difficult concepts into easily understandable concepts which then can be
measured, empirically. “It is essential to define the term as variables so that they can be
quantified and measured. That is, the variable have to be able to work for you to operate, or
becomes 4 operational”. There are different types of variables and having their influence
differently in a study viz. Independent & dependent variables, Active and attribute variables,
Continuous, discrete and categorical variable, Extraneous variables and Demographic
variables.
INDEPENDENT & DEPENDENT VARIABLE
The independent variable is the antecedent while the dependent variable is the consequent. If
the independent variable is an active variable then we manipulate the values of the variable to
study its affect on another variable. In the above example, we alter anxiety level to see if
responsiveness to pain reduction medication is enhanced. Anxiety level is the active independent
variable. Dependent variable is the variable that is affected by the independent variable.
Responsiveness to pain reduction medication is the dependent variable in the above example.
The dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable

ACTIVE AND ATTRIBUTE VARIABLES

Variables are often characteristics of research subjects, such as their age, health beliefs, or
weight etc. ''Variables which cannot be manipulated are attribute variables and the variables
that the researcher creates are the active 2 variables''. Active variables can also be independent
variables. E.g. effectiveness of communication board in meeting the needs of the intubated
patients. Communication board is an 'active independent variable' as it can be modified
according to the needs of the patients or according to the requirement in the study and it is
researcher's concept. It is also the cause i.e. independent variable. .

Attribute variable is a variable where we do not alter the variable during the study. It can also
be the independent variable, but it has limitations. Some attribute variables are age, gender,
blood group, color of eyes, etc. We might want to study the effect of age on weight. We cannot
change a person's age, but we can study people of different ages and weights. “An active
variable in one study could be an attribute variable in another study''.

CONTINOUS, DISCRETE AND CATEGORIAL VARIABLES

Sometimes variables take on a wide range of values on a continuum. ''A continuous variable can
assume 1 an infinite number of values between two points''. If we consider the continuous
variable weight: between 1 and 2 Kg, the number of values is limitless: 1.005, 1.7, 1.33333, and
so on. Continuous measures in actual use are contained in a range each individual obtains a
score within the 1 range. On the other hand, a discrete variable is one that has a finite number
of values between any two points,representing discrete quantities. Categorial variables, belongs
to a kind of measurement called nominal. In nominal measurements there are two or more
subsets of the set objects being measured. “They have a simple requirement that all the
members of the subset are considered the same and all are assigned 2 the same name (nominal)
and the same numeral”. That is, they can be measured only in terms of whether the individual
items belong to certain distinct categories, but we cannot quantify or even rank order the
categories. The variable gender, for example, has only two values (male and female). Variables
that take on only a handful of discrete non quantitative values are categorical variables.

“When categorical variables takes on only two values, they are sometimes referred to as 1
dichotomous variables”. Some examples of dichotomous variables and multiple variables are:
EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES
It happens sometimes that after completion of the study we wonder that the actual result is not
what we expected. In spite of taking all the possible measures the outcome is unexpected. It is
because of extraneous variables. Variables that may affect research outcomes but have not been
adequately considered in the study are termed as extraneous variables. Extraneous variables
exist in all studies and can affect the measurement of study variables and the relationship
among these variables. “Extraneous variables that are not recognized until the study is in
process, or are recognized before the study is initiated but cannot be controlled, are 5 referred
to as confounding variables”. Certain external variables may influence the relationship between
the research variables, even though researcher cannot see it. These variables are called
intervening variables. For example, girl's knowledge and practices helps in maintaining
menstrual hygiene. Here, motivation, mother and friends, mass media, are some intervening
variables which may also help in maintaining menstrual hygiene. Thus, if these two factors are
not controlled it would be impossible to know what the underlying cause really is.

DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES:
“Demographic variables are characteristics or attributes of subjects that are collected to 5
describe the sample”. They are also called sample characteristics. It means these variables
describe study sample and determine if samples are representative of the population of interest.
Although demographic variables cannot be manipulated, researchers can explain relationships
between demographic variables and d e p e n d e nt v a ri a b l e s. S ome commo n demographic
variables are age, gender, occupation, marital status, income etc.
MEASURING VARIABLES
In order to do an analysis, the variables have to be quantified; this means measuring giving
values and scale. Sometimes identification of variables and determining how to measure them
looks quite simple, but due to vaguely defined variables measuring can be difficult too. There
are four levels of measurements on a continuum of discrete and continuous: nominal-scale,
ordinal-scale, intervalscale and ratio-scale. Nominal scale is used when the variables can be
categorized but cannot be ranked. E.g. gender, marital status, race, diagnosis, blood group etc.
Ordinal scale is one were the variables are categorized that can be ranked. Eg. Levels of pain
mild, moderate or severe. Interval scale measures equal numerical distances between the
intervals. It can be categorized, as well as ranked. Eg. difference between 70 degree and 80
degree will be same as the difference between 30 degree and 40 degree. So the interval is of 10
degree in both the categories. Ratio scale measures variables which can be categorized, ranked,
have equal intervals and can represent a continuum of values. Thus, the most difficult part of
planning a research study is identifying the research variables and research design.
Considerable time and thought needs to be given to this step. Once the key variables have been
identified, then the research study can be developed.

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