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The Language of ‘Variables’
The Language of ‘Variables’
The Language of ‘Variables’The Language of ‘Variables’
Variable: Any observation that can take different values
Attribute: A specific value on a variable
The Nature of Research
The Language of ‘Variables’The Language of ‘Variables’
Variable: Sex or gender
Attribute: Female; male
The Nature of Research
Example
The Language of ‘Variables’The Language of ‘Variables’
Variable: Agreement
Attribute: 1 = strongly disagree2 = disagree3 = neutral4 = agree5 = strongly agree
The Nature of Research
Example
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Leads to or causes something else
Is affected by other variable(s)
Independent:
Dependent:
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Economic statusAcademic
achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Economic status
Schooling
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Economic status
Schooling
Special tutoring
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Economic status
Schooling
Special tutoring
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Notmanipulable
Types of VariablesTypes of Variables
Family structure
Economic status
Schooling
Special tutoring
Academic achievement
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent
Manipulable
Notmanipulable
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Reality
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Reality
Self-esteem
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Reality
Self-esteem
I feel good about myself...
1 2 3 4 5SD D N A SA
Operational DefinitionOperational Definition
Theory or idea
Reality
Operational definition
Self-esteem
I feel good about myself...
1 2 3 4 5SD D N A SA
ConstructsConstructs
Self-esteem
ConstructsConstructs
Self-esteem
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
ConstructsConstructs
Self-esteem
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
Indicators
ConstructsConstructs
Self-esteem
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
Operationaldefinition
Each indicator is
a fallible reflection of
the construct.
