Variables of Quantitative Research

Vocabulary flashcards defining the types and classifications of variables used in quantitative research based on lecture materials.

Variable

A place, thing, person, or phenomena that you are trying to measure, often has numerical or categorical values.

Independent Variable

The "cause" variable that brings changes to something; the variable that causes changes to the other variables.

Dependent Variable

The "outcome variable" which is the result or effect of the changes caused by the independent variable.

Continuous Variable

A variable that can take infinite number on the value that can occur within a population.

Interval Variable

A type of continuous variable representing the measurement difference between two values, such as incubation at $102\,F$ versus $84.5\,F$.

Ratio Variable

A type of continuous variable that possesses properties of interval variable but can be equal to zero, such as a height of $4"$.

Discrete Variable

Also known as categorical or classificatory variable; a variable that has limited number of distinct values and which cannot be divided.

Nominal Variable

A type of discrete variable with no quantitative value even if there are two or more categories, such as a demographic profile.

Ordinal Variable

A type of discrete variable that has two or more categories that can be ranked, such as a Likert Scale with values of $1$, $2$, $3$, and $4$.

Moderator Variable

A special type of independent variable chosen to determine if it changes or modifies the relationships between the independent and dependent variables.

Intervening Variable

A special type of independent variable chosen to determine if it strengthens or weakens the relationship (or connection) between the independent and dependent variables.

Control Variable

A variable controlled by the investigator in which the effects can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable; mostly used for experimental research.