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Lec 5 Variables and Indicators

This document defines key research concepts including variables, indicators, and different types of variables. It provides examples of how variables can be categorized as biological, physical, social, or related to habits or events. The document also distinguishes between dependent, independent, confounding, and background variables. It notes that variables can be conceptually or operationally defined, and that indicators operationalize variables by defining them in measurable terms to reduce ambiguity.

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Abdifatah Muhumed
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474 views

Lec 5 Variables and Indicators

This document defines key research concepts including variables, indicators, and different types of variables. It provides examples of how variables can be categorized as biological, physical, social, or related to habits or events. The document also distinguishes between dependent, independent, confounding, and background variables. It notes that variables can be conceptually or operationally defined, and that indicators operationalize variables by defining them in measurable terms to reduce ambiguity.

Uploaded by

Abdifatah Muhumed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 5: Research Variables and Indicators

Lecturer: Mr. Abdirisak Suleiman Ibrahim


• Define Variable
• Types of Variables
• Example of Variables
• Variables can be defined into two ways:
• Indicator
• Example of Indicator
Define Variable
• A VARIABLE is a characteristic of a person, Object or phenomenon
that can be classified and can take different values.
• Variables are Characteristics/Attributes that may vary in different
conditions.
Variables According To Their Types:
1. Biological: Age, Sex , Blood Pressure, HB level etc.
2. Physical: Height, Weight, MUAC.
3. Social: Education, Marital Status, Occupation, Income etc.
4. Habits: Smoking, Drinking, Health Care.
5. Event: Birth Deaths, Hospital Stay
Variables For Epidemiology Analysis
1. Dependent Variable: The variable that is used to describe or
measure the problem under study is called the dependent variable (
effect, disease, outcome, consequence, result).
Dependent variables are the variables that are influenced by other
variables.
2. Independent Variable: The variable that are used to describe or
measure the factors that are assumed to cause or at least to influence
the problem are called the independent variable ( cause, risk factor,
determinant, input, characteristics) etc.
Independent variable influence, regulate or cause the dependent
variable.
3. Confounding Variable: A variable that is associated with the problem
and with possible cause of the problem is a potential confounding
variable.
The confounding variable may either strengthen or weaken the
apparent relationship the problem and a possible cause.
4. Background Variable: The variable that are often related to a
number of independent variables and influence the problem indirectly
are called background variables.
Example of Variables:
Smoking-------------------------------------------------------Lung Cancer
(Cause) (Disease)
Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Age
Confounding Variable
Background Variables: Occupation, Income etc.
Variables may be defined into two ways:
1. The conceptually definition states the variable as conceive it-
meaning.
2. The operational definition highlights the variable in workable terms.
Example
Obesity ( conceptual variable)
More than 10% increase of normal body weight ( operational variable).
Definition of Indicators
• Indicators: are formed by defining and stating variables in operational
terms- operationalization.
• An indicator is a tool for measurement.
Example
Seriousness of disease condition:
The indicator usually identified are mild/moderate/severe/very severe
etc.
Unless stated these stages are stated, it is open to different
interpretations.
The End

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