CHAPTER 2:
CLASSIFICATION OF
VARIABLES
N U M E R IC . C AT E GOR IC A L . E XP E R I M E N TAL . N ON - E XP E R I M E N TA L .
What is a Variable?
oAny factor or property that a researcher measures, controls, and/or
manipulates.
oThe changing quantity or measure of any factor, trait, or condition
that can exists in differing amounts or types.
oA logical set of attributes, characteristics, numbers, or quantities
that can be measured or counted.
oAlso called a data item.
Classification of Variables
1. Numeric Variable
oVariables with values that describe a measurable quantity and
answer the questions “how many?” or “how much”. This variable has
two types:
Continuous- also known as interval variables: can assume as any
measurable value between a certain set of real numbers. Examples:
age, time, temperature, height, weight, etc.
Discrete- countable whole numerical values within the limits of the
given variable. Example: number of students in a class, total number
of teaching faculty.
2. Categorical Variable
oVariables with values that describe a quality or characteristics of a
data unit like “what type?” or “which category?”.
a. Ordinal- variables with values that can be logically ordered or
ranked. Examples: clothing size like S,M,L,XL; academic grades such
as C, B, A, S.
b. Nominal- variables whose values cannot be organized in a logical
sequence. Example: eye colors, types of religion, learning styles,
business types, etc.
2. Categorical Variable
c. Dichotomous- represents only two categories; example: gender
(male or female), answers (yes or no), veracity (true or false).
d. Polychotomous- variables that have many categories; examples:
educational attainment (elementary, high school, graduate, post
graduate), level of performance (poor, satisfactory, good, very good,
excellent.)
3. Experimental Variable
o Describes the factors that differ between tests and the control
samples, which is being investigated in an experiment.
a. Independent Variable- also referred to as the manipulated or
explanatory variable since it is often changed or manipulated by the
researcher.
b. Dependent Variable- usually is affected by the manipulation in the
independent variable, also called as response or predicted variable.
3. Experimental Variable
c. Control Variables- The variable that is kept the same or controlled
in an experiment.
d. Extraneous variables- also called as mediating or intervening
variable. They are already existing during the conduct of the
experiment that could influence the result of the study.
Example no.1:
Title of the Research Study: An experiment on the Methods of
Teaching and Language Achievement
among Elementary Pupils.
Independent Variable: Method of Teaching
Dependent Variable: Language Achievement
Control Variable: Same lesson and topics
Extraneous Variable: Classroom elements: temperature, physical
ambiance, weather, mood of students.
Example no.2:
Title of the Research Study: Use of Gardening Tools and Types of
Fertilizer: Their Effects on the Amount of
Harvest.
Independent Variable: Use of Gardening Tools and Types of Fertilizer
Dependent Variable: Amount of Harvest
Control Variable: Same Plant or Vegetable
Extraneous Variable: Environmental Factors: Weather, amount of sunlight
4. Non-Experimental Variable
a. Predictor Variable- variables that are used to predict some other
variable outcome.
b. Criterion Variable- the variable that is being predicted by the
predictor variable.
Example no.1:
Title of the Research Study: Students’ Attendance and Grade Point
Average in Selected Grade school Students.
Predictor Variable: Attendance of Students
Criterion Variable: Students’ Grade Point Average
5. Variables According to the
Number being Studied
a. Univariate Study- only one variable is being studied.
b. Bivariate Study- two variables are being studied.
c. Polyvariate Study- more than two variables are being studied.
