Moazzam Ali

Variables & Concepts

ConceptsConcepts 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.

Concept—an 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 & VariablesIf 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 indicators—a set of criteria reflected of the concept—which can then be converted into variables.

Concepts, Indicators & VariablesExample

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.

VariableA 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. ExamplesProduction 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 VariablesConcept Variable

Effectiveness Sex (male/female)

Satisfaction Income (Rs……)

Impact Age

Self esteem Height

Quality Weight

Variables & AttributesAn 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 VariablesIndependent 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 Relationship

Independent Variable

Smoking

(Assumed cause)

Extraneous Variables

Dependent Variable

Cancer

(Assumed effect)

Age of the person

Extent of smoking

Extent of Exercise

Sex (male/female)

Education

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