Table of Contents
Introduction
In writing your thesis, one of the first terms that you encounter is the word variable. Failure to understand the meaning and the usefulness of variables in your study will prevent you from doing excellent research. What are variables, and how do you use variables in your research?
I explain this key research concept below with lots of examples of variables commonly used in a study.
You may find it challenging to understand just what variables are in research, especially those that deal with quantitative data analysis. This initial difficulty about variables becomes much more confusing when you encounter the phrases “dependent variable” and “independent variable” as you go deeper in studying this vital concept of research, as well as statistics.
Understanding what variables mean is crucial in writing your thesis proposal because you will need these in constructing your conceptual framework and in analyzing the data that you have gathered.
Therefore, it is a must that you should be able to grasp thoroughly the meaning of variables and ways on how to measure them. Yes, the variables should be measurable so that you will use your data for statistical analysis.
I will strengthen your understanding by providing examples of phenomena and their corresponding variables below.
Definition of Variable
Variables are those simplified portions of the complex phenomena that you intend to study. The word variable is derived from the root word “vary,” meaning, changing in amount, volume, number, form, nature, or type. These variables should be measurable, i.e., they can be counted or subjected to a scale.
The next section provides examples of variables related to climate change, academic performance, crime, fish kill, crop growth, and how content goes viral. Note that the variables in these phenomena can be measured, except the last one, where a bit more work is required.
Examples of Variables in Research: 6 Phenomena
The following are examples of phenomena from a global to a local perspective. The corresponding list of variables is given to illustrate how complex phenomena can be broken down into manageable pieces for better understanding and to subject the phenomena to research.
Phenomenon 1: Climate change
Examples of variables related to climate change:
- sea level
- temperature
- the amount of carbon emission
- the amount of rainfall
Phenomenon 2: Crime and violence in the streets
Examples of variables related to crime and violence:
- number of robberies
- number of attempted murders
- number of prisoners
- number of crime victims
- number of laws enforcers
- number of convictions
- number of carnapping incidents
Phenomenon 3: Poor performance of students in college entrance exams
Examples of variables related to poor academic performance:
- entrance exam score
- number of hours devoted to studying
- student-teacher ratio
- number of students in the class
- educational attainment of teachers
- teaching style
- the distance of school from home
- number of hours devoted by parents in providing tutorial support
Phenomenon 4: Fish kill
Examples of variables related to fish kill:
- dissolved oxygen
- water salinity
- temperature
- age of fish
- presence or absence of parasites
- presence or absence of heavy metal
- stocking density
Phenomenon 5: Poor crop growth
Examples of variables related to poor crop growth:
- the amount of nitrogen in the soil
- the amount of phosphorous in the soil
- the amount of potassium in the ground
- the amount of rainfall
- frequency of weeding
- type of soil
- temperature
Phenomenon 6: How Content Goes Viral
- positive,
- interesting,
- prominent,
- useful,
- surprising, and
- causing physiological arousal.
Notice in the above variable examples that all the factors listed under the phenomena can be counted or measured using an ordinal, ratio, or interval scale, except for the last one. The factors that influence how content goes viral are essentially subjective.
But researchers devised ways to measure those variables by grouping the respondents’ answers on whether content is positive, interesting, prominent, among others (see the full description here).
Thus, the variables in the last phenomenon represent the nominal scale of measuring variables.
The expected values derived from these variables will be in terms of numbers, amount, category, or type. Quantified variables allow statistical analysis. Variable descriptions, correlations, or differences are then determined.
Difference Between Independent and Dependent Variables
Which of the above examples of variables are the independent and the dependent variables?
Independent Variables
The independent variables are those variables that may influence or affect the other variable, i.e., the dependent variable.
For example, in the second phenomenon, i.e., crime and violence in the streets, the independent variables are the number of law enforcers. If there are more law enforcers, it is expected that it will reduce the following:
- number of robberies,
- number of attempted murders,
- number of prisoners,
- number of crime victims, and
- the number of carnapping incidents.
The five variables listed under crime and violence in the streets as the theme of a study are all dependent variables.
Dependent Variables
The dependent variable, as previously mentioned, is the variable affected or influenced by the independent variable.
For example, in the first phenomenon on climate change, temperature as the independent variable influences sea level rise, the dependent variable. Increased temperature will cause the expansion of water in the sea. Thus, sea-level rise on a global scale will occur.
I will leave the classification of the other variables to you. Find out whether those are independent or dependent variables. Note, however, that some variables can be both independent or dependent variables, as the context of the study dictates.
Finding the relationship between variables
How will you know that one variable may cause the other to behave in a certain way?
Finding the relationship between variables requires a thorough review of the literature. Through a review of the relevant and reliable literature, you will find out which variables influence the other variable. You do not just guess relationships between variables. The entire process is the essence of research.
At this point, I believe that the concept of the variable is now clear to you. Share this information with your peers, who may have difficulty in understanding what the variables are in research.
I am a student in the masteral degree…i am having hard time in formulating a title …our title defense was scheduled september 9..i have proposed almost a dozen titles now but my thesis professor rejected it …i dont know why……my title is CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ON PUPIL’S BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADE V PUPILS….may i ask for your help to reword or restate my title…how is it measured….i am open to suggestions and comments thank you and more power…i will love to hear some thots from youGod bless
Dear Marlyn, I missed your comment as I had been too busy the past days. It seems like you’re not so sure about what to study. What is it you want? If it is clear to you, then you can conduct a study. You do not start with a title but a review of literature first on a phenomenon you have observed. You may find this article useful: https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2012/10/31/how-to-write-a-concept-paper/
pls sir i need your help on my assignment
Title: write three research topics, mention the dependent and independent variables
gud pm sir Patrick.. do IV and DV should be in a title.
Dear Dennis, the title ideally should have those variables for easier understanding of what is discussed in the paper.
Thank you for this.. And also for gabe’s concerned aboout those DV and IV.. Sorry for my grammar
Dear Dr. Oyugi, you’re right. If you know about these kinds of variables then you are free to share them here. Thanks for dropping by.
I appreciate the effort made in explaining the key variables with some relevant examples. However, there are still more to explain with regards to other variables such as: moderating variable, intervening variable, extraneous variables, mediating variable and confounding variable. If these can be explained with good examples especially in social researches, then a ot will have been done.
Welcome Edward.
Thank you so much. I have been struggling with the concept of variables. Now you have solved my problem. Thanks
Dear Eliseu, so why do you think word processing can improve students’ writing skills? Do you mean spell or grammar checks in MS word? You need to define your variable, as this article defines it.
My topic is : emplementing word processing in high school to improve students writing skills. Now, can you tell me what would be my variables? please.
hi help me my research is about personnel empowerment and local government quality service what will be my conceptual frame work ???
Just open the forum page (https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/forum) abdul and I will answer you there.
Thanks you all for this wonderful presentation, my question is, is the variable the same as factors
hi! What if there are more than the independent and dependent variable? How are we going to describe the other variable? For example A influence B then B gives impact to C.. Please help..
even i need this answer
I was considering to enroll in statistics course to equip me in my consultancy work (socio-economic studies), found this site very informative, I need to really study though.
Thanks for visiting this site Annabelle. You need diligence to understand concepts that you can use in your consultancy. Thank you for visiting the site.
Dear Quad, just follow the procedure outlined above. You need to be familiar with factors that surround extrajudicial killings. Since your conceptual framework reflects your thesis, you need to state your argument as your guide in your study. Here are some tips: https://simplyeducate.me/wordpress_Y/2016/01/23/three-tips-on-how-to-write-a-thesis-statement/
My project topic is Extra judicial killings and involvement of military forces,how do i go about drawing my conceptual framework and what variables best suits
My project topic is Extra judicial killings and involvement of military forces,how do i go about drawing my theoritical framework and what variables best suits
I have been trying all these years to come out with research proposal for a doctoral programme with great difficulty. It’s like groping in the dark looking for a needle in a haystack. At a point I wanted to give up on the PhD programme. Your presentation has been fantastic. It wouldn’t have come at the right time. It’s a WOW! Very useful.
Can I please have your email?
Dear Alvisswe,
I am not quite clear about your question. If you mean that you should include the two variables in your thesis title, that will be desirable. It gives the reader an idea about what you are investigating right there in the title.
Hello can anybody here help me to make a quantitative research title with 3 dependents variables…thank.you..
Dear Lovely, think first what you want to study about.
Hi,
Do I have to depict the two variables within the topic of a thesis?
Dear Martin, great to hear your feedback! I’m happy to know my article helped you in your research venture. Let’s discover things for a better world. Share the information to your friends who may have difficulty along this concern.
I am so pleased and impressed with this article that I am here redoing my framework for my dissertation. Most of the time tutors don’t explain this way and I think it is just great.