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IR1IMEM
RESEARCH METHODOLOGYVariables
INDEX
Variables
Based on Ch. 3, 4 & 5 of Kumar
VARIABLES
This food is tastefulThis lecture is fascinatingI like this…….
Subjective assessmentsDiffer from one person to another(quantitative research)
CONCEPTS & VARIABLES
‘An image, perception or concept that is capable of measurement – hence capable of taking different values – is called a variable’ [Kumar, p.62]The difference between a concept and a variable is measurability‘Concepts are mental images or perceptions’Concepts need to be converted to variables (i.e. operationalized)
What is a Variable
Something that can vary
What is a concept
Define what is an excellent achievement in soccer.
Write down
Concept to variable
Excellent achievement in soccerAmount of goals against the team
Amount of goals the team scored
The position on the ranking list
The way hey performed the game
The amount of penalties the team players received
……..
Concept
Domestic violence?What is domestic violence
How can you measure domestic violence
Domestic violence
Amount of injuries at homeHow often oral abuse takes placeAmount of Visits to the first aidAmount of interventions by the police…..
TYPES OF VARIABLES
Unit of measurementCausal relationshipStudy design
VARIABLES – UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
NominalJust a name (brand of…. Coffee)
OrdinalRanking ( Sports result in soccer, best student in class)
Interval (scale)Exact score,
Ratio (scale)Scientific measurement ( absolute 0), Length in cm’s
VARIABLES – cause-effect
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Extraneous variable
Intervening variable
Example cause effect
Hours of studyIR1
Hours of studyIR1 Exam resultExam result
Example cause effect
Hours of studyIR1
Hours of studyIR1 Exam resultExam result
IllnessWork
DistractionLectures
Assignments………
IllnessWork
DistractionLectures
Assignments………
Intervening variables
VARIABLES – STUDY DESIGN
For controlled experimentsActive variables
Can be manipulated, changed or controlled
Attribute variablesCannot be manipulated, reflect characteristics of the sample
Example Active- Passive
Hours of studyIR1 (active)
Hours of studyIR1 (active) Exam resultExam result
Illness (active)Work (active)
Distraction (active)Lectures (active)
Assignments (active)………
Illness (active)Work (active)
Distraction (active)Lectures (active)
Assignments (active)………
Intervening variables
Gender (attribute)Nationality (attribute)Religion (attribute)
Age (Attribute)
Gender (attribute)Nationality (attribute)Religion (attribute)
Age (Attribute)
VARIABLES – CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP
For studies that attempt to investigate a causal relationship or association
Independent variableCause (assumed)
Dependent variableEffect (assumed)
Extraneous variableMay affect dependent
Intervening variable (or confound variables)Link between independent & dependent