Topic 3: Variables in Quantitative Research

Independent Variables

also called causal variables

Independent Variables

are variables that are presumed to cause the change in the setup. These are also factors or phenomena that may influence another variable to change, may also be manipulated

Dependent Variables

also called outcome variables

Dependent Variables

are variables that change because of another variable. These are variables that are also measured by researchers using standardized tools.

Mediating Variables

also called intervening variables

Intervening/Mediating Variables

explains how or why the independent affects the dependent

Level of measurement

gives you an idea of the type of data that you have and how the variables are measured

Nominal Variable

categories with no order

Ordinal

categories with a clear order, but no fixed spacing

Interval

ordered numbers with equal intervals, but no true zero

Ratio

it has a true zero. Hence, it can be counted, ranked and has a meaningful difference between values. Additionally, there is a true zero point. True or absolute zero means that nothing exists for that variable, that zero simply means none

Control Variable

variables kept constant to avoid influencing the result

Cofounding Variable

an outside factor that may affect the result unintentionally