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Practical Research 2, POGIL MODULE by Deborah M. Agustin, SST-II, AYALA NHS Senior HS

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Image by Mark Mags from Pixabay

 Topic 3: TYPES OF VARIABLES AND THEIR USES
Learning Competency: Differentiates kinds of variables and their
uses. Time Frame: Quarter 1, Week 3

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this module, you are expected to follow through a guided process to be able
to learn the concepts for this topic.

After studying this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the different types of variables according to their uses.

2. differentiate the variables in research.

INTRODUCTION

Module 3 will help you be familiar with the different types of variables involved in a
research study. Knowing the types of variables in your research study will give you
clarity, focus, and direction in your investigation. As you study this module, keep in
mind the main variables you need to be aware of when conducting you research.

KEY POINTS

 Each topic will begin with a brief Introduction. It is designated as “Why?”

Section.
 Each Topic will have Models for you to follow until you reach the whole
concept.
 There are questions posted under each Model for you to answer.
 Every correct answer in the question is equivalent to 1 point score.
 For other written task, a RUBRIC will be provided for you to observe.
 The topic ends with a Conclusion part which also requires you to answer a
question or sets of questions.
 Why?

To be familiar with objects or persons, we have to learn their characteristics or

qualities. Take for example in choosing a friend. You first look at his or her physical
appearance, you observe his or her behaviour, you notice how he or she talks, and you ask
this or her favorite hobby and other leisure activities. Only then you decide if the person can
be your close friend or a simple acquaintance. As for your preferences in objects or things,
you may choose them according to their physical features like color, size, and their uses.
That is why when we purchase things we look into some characteristics before buying them.
By looking into the characteristics of objects and persons, we get to know them more and
we are able to make certain decisions. In research, we call these characteristics of the
factors as “variables”. Knowing your variables in research will greatly guide you on what to
do in your investigation.
Subtopic 1: Two Basic Types of Variables
Model 1 – Change is Good!

ich means to undergo changes or to differ from, variables have different or varying values in relation to time and situation. For instance, as

Dependent Variable

Amount of Marang Peels Ethanol Yield

Dependent Variable

Online Gaming Study Habits of Grade 12 Male Students

Accountancy Business Management Strand:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Entrepreneurship Income
Styles

Home Economics Strand:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Amount of Bitter Taste of Cupcake

Gourd

Agri-Fishery Arts Strand:

Independen Dependent Variable

Bulmea balsamifera Taste of Herbal Tea

(Sambong) Leaves

Electrical Installation and Maintenance Strand:

Independen Dependent

Type of Glass Used as Intensity of Light

Solar Panel Produced

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Strand:

Independent Variable Dependent

Type of Metal Used Cladding Efficiency

Information Communication Technology

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Knowledge in Kinematics
Level of Simulated
Animation
 Question 1: What is the Independent Variable in your diagram?
Question 2: What is the Dependent Variable in your diagram?
Question 3: Which between the Independent and Dependent Variable do you think bring

the “effect” brought by the variable which caused it?

Remember this:
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

There are 2 Basic Types of Variables

Independent Variables are variables that cause changes in t
Dependent Variables are variables that bear or manifest the
*Source: Practical Research 2 (First Edition) by Esther L. Baraceros, pp. 30.

Question 5: Using the definition of independent and dependent variables given above, write your own description

Subtopic 2: Other Types of Variables

Model 2 – More Variables

Variable Relationships

As you carry out the research, it is possible that one, two, or more variables or extra
variable crop up to create an impact on the relationship between the independent and
dependent variables. Being extra variables, they form this other type of variable called
extraneous variables. Such extraneous variables are called participant variables if they refer
to the moods, emotions, or intelligence of the subject; Situational variables, if they pertain
to nature of the place: smelly, chilly, cold, hot, spacious and the like.

*Source: Practical Research 2 (First Edition) by Esther L. Baraceros, pp. 30.

Other Types of Variables

Extraneous variables are to be controlled by you, the experimenter. But if they do not
give in to your control, they become confounding variables that can strongly influence your
study. Dealing with these types of variables gives you difficulty in determining real cause of
changes in the dependent variables; that is whether it is due only to the independent variables.
The involvement of confounding variables in the research results in the production of mixed up,
confusing, or bewildering results. The extraneous variables exist as “nuisance variables” whose
potency need to go down to prevent it from affecting the results negatively. (Suter2013, p.137;
Thomas 2013; Schreiber 2012). Extraneous variable are called participant variables if they refer
to moods, emotions, or intelligence of the subject; situational variables, if they pertain to nature
of the place: smelly, chilly, cold, hot, spacious, and the like.

*There are other types of variables which are as follows (Russell 2013; Babbie 2013)
1. Constant – do not undergo any changes during an experiment
2. Attribute – characteristics of people: intelligence, creativity, anxiety, learning, styles, etc.
3. Covariate – included in the research study to create interactions with the independent
and dependent variables.
4. Continuous – quantitative in nature and is used in interval or ratio scale of measurement
5. Dichotomous – has only two possible results: one or zero
6. Latent – cannot be directly observed like personality traits
7. Manifest – can be directly observed to give proofs to latent variables
8. Exogenous – found outside an identified model
9. Endogenous – found inside; as part of identified model
*Source: Practical Research 2 (First Edition) by Esther L. Baraceros, pp. 30.

For questions 6-10, refer to the diagram below.

Source: https://www.freeimages.com/search/watering-plants

To allow the plants to grow healthy, the gardener made sure he planted it where the sun
could reach it. All the plants are planted on the same soil and received the same exposure to
sunlight. But half of the plants were watered once a day while the other half were watered twice
a day. Each week he observed that the plants grow taller in the group where he watered twice a
day. After a month, he saw some little buds of flowers peeking out. In the group of plants
watered once a day, the plants grew taller but did not grew buds. They are also not as tall as
the other group. However, in both groups of plants there were some plants which withered.
When he checked them, he saw tiny worms eating the leaves of the plants. These plants did not
grow tall but lost many leaves and looked thin and dying.
 Question 6. What variable in the situation is the independent variable? Question 7. What variable in the situation is t

Question 10: As a researcher, how can you control the extraneous variable in this situation?

Conclusion

Instruction: Answer the following questions.

Question 11. Explain how the variables are different from one another by describing their uses in a research study.
 RUBRIC for Written Answer:
Sources: file:///C:/Users/AS&AJ/Downloads/Documents/criteria.pdf
file:///C:/Users/AS&AJ/Downloads/Documents/High%20School%20Rubrics.pdf

Criteria Inadequate Adequate Above Average (3) Exemplary

(1) (2) (4)
Organization Writing lacks logical Writing is coherent Writing is coherent Writing shows high
organization. It shows and logically and logically degree of attention
some coherence but organized. Some organized with to logic and
ideas lack unity. points remain transitions used reasoning of points.
Serious errors. misplaced and stray between ideas and Unity clearly leads
from the topic. paragraphs to create the reader to the
Transitions evident coherence. Overall conclusion and stirs
but not used unity of ideas is thought regarding
throughout essay. present. the topic.

Level of Content Shows some thinking Content indicates Content indicates Content indicates
and reasoning but most thinking and original thinking and synthesis of ideas,
ideas are reasoning applied develops ideas with indepth analysis and
underdeveloped and with original thought sufficient and firm evidences original
unoriginal. on a few ideas. evidence. thought and support
for the topic.
Development Main points lack Main points are Main points well Main points well
detailed development. present with limited developed with developed with high
Ideas are vague with detail and quality supporting quality and quantity
little evidence of critical development. Some details and quantity. support. Reveals
thinking critical thinking is Critical thinking is high degree of
present. weaved into points critical thinking.
Mechanics and Spelling, punctuation, Most spelling, Essay has few Essay is free of
Grammar and grammatical errors punctuation, and spelling, distracting spelling,
create distraction, grammar correct punctuation, and punctuation, and
making reading allowing reader to grammatical errors grammatical errors;
difficult; fragments, progress though allowing reader to absent of fragments,
comma splices, run-ons essay. Some errors follow ideas clearly. comma splices, and
evident. Errors are remain. Very few fragments run-ons.
frequent. or Style
run-ons.
Support Provides little or no Supports main point Supports main point Persuasively supports
support for the main with some with developed main point with well
point underdeveloped reasons and/or developed reasons
reasons and/or examples and/or examples
examples