seminar questionnaire

Variable

A characteristic or property of a phenomenon, person, or object that can take on different values and be measured.

Conceptual Definition

The abstract or theoretical meaning of a variable, usually based on literature or theory.

Operational Definition

How the variable will be measured in practice, through observable and quantifiable indicators.

Independent Variable

A variable that influences or causes change in another (the 'cause').

Dependent Variable

A variable that is affected or explained by the independent variable (the 'effect').

Intervening Variable

A variable that comes between the independent and dependent variable, helping explain the relationship.

Simple Variable

A variable that is not broken down into dimensions, e.g., Age.

Complex Variable

A variable that is divided into dimensions, e.g., Academic performance.

Qualitative Variables

Variables expressed in categories or qualities, not numbers (e.g., marital status, religion).

Quantitative Variables

Variables expressed in numbers, either discrete (countable) or continuous (measurable).

Dimension

A facet or component of a complex variable that allows for a more detailed study.

Indicator

An observable and measurable sign of a variable or its dimension.

Nominal Scale

A scale that classifies data into categories without order (e.g., gender, nationality).

Ordinal Scale

A scale that classifies data into ordered categories, but distances are not equal (e.g., satisfaction levels: high, medium, low).

Interval Scale

A numerical scale with equal intervals, but no absolute zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).

Ratio Scale

A numerical scale with equal intervals and a true zero (e.g., weight, height, income).

Operationalization Table

A table that has columns for conceptual definition, operational definition, dimensions, indicators, and scale of measurement.

Operationalization

The process of transforming theoretical concepts into measurable variables.

Example of Intervening Variable

Sleep quality is an example of an intervening variable between study hours (IV) and exam performance (DV).

Dimensions (Tamayo 2003)

Logical specifications that divide a complex variable into analyzable parts.

Indicators (Hernández et al.)

Observable manifestations of a variable or dimension that allow measurement.

S.S. Stevens (1946)

The individual who introduced the four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Importance of Scales (Hernández et al.)

Scales establish the rules and precision for quantifying variables.

Fidias (2011) on Operational Definitions

Operational definitions allow abstract variables to become measurable through observable indicators.

Kerlinger & Lee on Operational Definition

An operational definition specifies the activities or operations necessary to measure or manipulate a variable.