VARIABLES

INTRODUCTION
◦Variables is a characteristics or attribute that can be taken on
different values, and it is a key concept in scientific method.
◦Variables are used to measure, study and control, manipulate and
analyze the element of a research study.
DEFINITION
◦Variables are concepts at different level of abstraction that are
concisely defined to promote their measurement or manipulation
within study.
- CHINN AND KRAMER
A Variable is a characteristic of a person, object, or phenomenon that
can take on different values refers to a characteristics, or attribute of
an individual or an organization that can be measures or observed
and that varies among the people or organization being studies.

- Creswell,2002
Variables are properties or characteristics of people or things that
vary in quality or magnitude from person to person or object to
object
- (Miller & Nicholson, 1976)
CLASSIFICATION
I. On the basis of number of variables under study-
 Univariate study (one variable is studied)
 Bivariate study (Two are variables Studied)
 Multivariate study (more than two Variables are studied together)
 UNIVARIATE STUDY

◦Single variable is studied.

◦Also called research variable.
◦For example:-
◦“ A descriptive study on biophysical profile of nursing personnel
working in OPD of selected hospital in Bangalore.”
◦Univariate study – Biophysical profile
 Bivariate Study

◦Two variables are studied.

◦Co-relational, interventional, experimental, pre-experimental and
quasi-experimental studies generally include bivariate studies
For example:-
◦“A prospective cohort study on smoking and lung cancer among
families in urban slums of city, Kolkata.”
◦This a co-relational study is bivariate
Smoking (Independent Variable)
Lung Cancer ( Dependent Variable)
 MULTIVARIATE STUDY

◦ More than two variables are studied together.

◦Qualitative studies are usually multivariate studies, which are
become increasingly common in nursing research studies.
◦For example:-
“ A study on factor contributing to non-compliance of treatment
among TB patients in selected rural communities of district Patiala,
Punjab.”
Here there are more than two variables that are responsible for non-
compliance among TB patient.
II. On the basis of nature, action and effect on other variables-
1. Dependent Variable
2. Independent variable
3. Extraneous variable
◦. Confounding variable
◦. Control Variable
4. Research variable
5. Demographic Variable
 Dependent Variable

 Dependent variable is the variable that is being studied during the

research.
 This is the variable that is being observed, measured or studied to
assess the impact of changes in the independent variable.
 Response due to the effect of the which researcher wants to predict
independent variable, or explain.
For example: -
◦“A study work to assess the rate of success as per the hard work of
individuals on a selected urban area in Mumbai.”
◦Dependent variable - Success
◦Independent variable - Hard work
 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

◦A variable that is changed or controlled during study to calculate

impact or effect on dependent variable.
→ It is also known as "manipulated variable" or “treatment variable"
in experimental studies.
→ Independent variable influences dependent variable it is often the
cause or predictor in a researcher’s study.
for example-
◦“A study to assess the study techniques adopted by students of a
convent school and its effect on the exam score in a selected urban
area’s school in Punjab.”
◦Independent variable - study techniques.
 EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE

◦An extraneous variable in an experiment is a variable that is not

being investigated, but has the potential to influence the result of the
experiment.
◦ Researcher aims to control or account for these variables to isolate
the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
◦Uncontrolled extraneous variable can result un inaccurate
conclusions.
for example-
◦"A study to analyze sleep deprivation affect on during ability of an
individual"
Here,
◦Independent variable - Sleep deprivation
◦Dependent variable - Driving ability.
◦Extraneous variable - Road condition, driving experience, traffic
congestion etc.
There are two types of extraneous variable.

1.Confounding variable
2. Control variable
CONFOUNDING VARIABLE
A confounding variable is a type of extraneous variable that affects
both independent variable and dependent variable.
→Researchers needs to identify and account for confounding
variable in then studies ‫د‬
→ Confounding variable influences the dependent variable and co-
relate or casually affects with the independent variable by
introducing bias (systemic error) and make it difficult to determine
causality.
For example-
◦"A study to analyze weight gain among teenage girls due to lack of
exercise.
Here,
◦Independent variable. Exercise
◦Dependent variable - weight gain
◦Confounding variable- Age, height, metabolic rate
There are the types of Confounding variable: -

Endogenous confounding variable

Exogenous confounding variable
ENDOGENOUS CONFOUNDING VARIABLE
◦Variables present within the study subject such as –
1. genetic condition
2. Personality type
3. Individual coping abilities
4. Underlying biochemical parameters
→ These variables may be intrinsic to the study design or population and are
not under the researcher’s control.
→ Researchers use analysis statistical techniques like regression or
stratification to control the variable.
For example-
◦“In a study examining the relationship between exercise and heart
health” age could be a endogenous confounding variable.
◦Level of exercise independent variable and heart health is direct
variable.
EXOGENOUS CONFOUNDING VARIABLE
◦Variable that is not a part of study and belong from outside
environment of study subject.
such as -
→ environment
→ dietary pattern
→ exposure variation
◦Researcher cannot control or manipulate the variable.
For example-
◦"A study to investigate the impact of air quality on respiratory
health".
◦Independent variable - air quality
◦Dependent variable: Respiratory health
◦Exogenous confounding variable - socioeconomic situation.
CONTROL VARIABLE
◦It is also known as “covariate” variable.

→ Control variable is a type of extraneous variable in which

researcher identifies and controls the variable. They are not wished
to steely in research by the researcher, there it is controlled.
→Control variables are factors that the Scientist wants to keep the
same.
For example,
In the light experiment, the control variables might be the type of
plant, the size of the pot and the amount of water.
◦“A study to assess no. of car owners in a selected urban area"
◦Control variable can be bevels etc. age, gender, educational levels
etc.
RESEARCH VARIABLE
◦Research variable can be defined as qualities, attributes, properties
or characteristics that are observed or measured in a natural setting
without manipulating and establishing cause and effect relationship.
For example,
◦An exploratory study on factors contributing to sleep disturbance
among patients admitted in selected intensive care unit of AIIMS,
New Delhi.
◦In this research study, factor contributing to sleep disturbance is a
research variable, which is observed in natural setting without
manipulating.
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
◦The variable that is the study of demographics, socio characteristics
and statistics of human population.
For example-
◦age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, income, education
and marital status.
III. ON THE BASIS OF QUANTITY AND
QUALITY OF VARIABLES
1. Categorical variable (Qualitative variable)
 Nominal Categorial variable
 Ordinal categorical variable

2. Quantitative variable (Ratio variable)

 Discrete variable
 Continuous variable (Interval variable)
Categorical Variable-

. Also known as Qualitative variable.

. Categorial variable represents categories or groups or labels and can
be nominal (No inherent Order) or Ordinal (with meaningful order)
in nature.
 Nominal Categorial variable Ordinal Categorical Variable
Also, knowns variable as also known as dichotomous
polychotomous variable variable.
They have more than two categories. They have only two Categories
Represents discrete categories with they have specific order or rank but
no inherent order. the intervals between categories may
→for example- not be equal.
• Color of hair (black, brown, dank for example-
brown, light brown, blond and grey) • Presence of lung cancer (Yer or No)
•Types of ICU'S pediatric, •Infection (Present Absent)
neurosurgery etc.)
•Types of external fixators
(Hoffmans, Ortho fix, Ilizarov etc.)
 Quantitative Variable.

 They are also known as Ratio variable

 They have numerical or measurable quantity.
 They have equal interval between value and true zero point.
 Quantitative variable could be discrete or continuous variable
For example-
height, weight, temperature, pulse rate, hemoglobin, serum
cholesterol level and so on…
 a. Continuous variable.

 Also known as Interval variable, it is a type of Quantitative

variable. Variable, that can take any values of contain range of
numerical value or has and infinite value of possible values.
 They have equal intervals between but lack a true zero point
◦for example- Temperature (99-6°F), height weight (62.5kg) Serum
creatine value (5) 2mg/dl) etc.
 b. Discrete variable.

 Discrete variable refers to a type of variable that can only take on

specific values within a finite or countable set.
 These values are typically integers and cannot be broken down
into smaller parts. Discrete variables are distinct and separate and
there's no continue between the values
◦for example -
◦No. of items sold, no. of students in classroom, outcome of rolling
dice (1.2,3,4,5 or 6).
THERE ARE SOME OTHER VARIABLES IN
RESEARCH STUDY.
 1. Predictor Variable-

◦A predictor variable, also known as an independent variable, is an

input or factor that is used to predict the value of a dependent
variable.
◦It is the aspect of an experiment or data set that is manipulated or
measured to determine its effects on the dependent variable.
 2. Outcome Variable-

◦Outcome variables are usually the dependent variables which are

observed and measured by changing independent variables
◦These variables determine the effect of the cause when the
(independent) variables changed for different values.
◦The dependent variables are the outcomes of the experiment
determining what are caused or what changed as a result of the study.
 3. Manifest variable -

◦A concrete variable which can be observed/ measured assuming it

indicates the presence of latent variable.
◦ It is also known as indicator variable.
For example,
◦Intelligence is a latent variable. whereas IQ test score, writing or
reading ability are manifest variable.
 4.Latent variable

◦Latent variable is that variable that are measured indirectly using

observable variables.
◦So, rather than measuring thing's that can’t be quantified, we infer
the value using variables we can quantify.
For example-
◦Cardiovascular disorder is a latent variable cohere as hypertension,
angina pectoris, varicose vein and coronary artery disease are
manifest variable which can be observed and measured
Assessing the effectiveness of a new teaching method on student
learning outcomes.

Independent variable- effectiveness

Dependent variable – teaching method
Extraneous variable – age of the student, cognitive development
Research Variable- effectiveness of a new teaching method
Demographic Variable- student
ADVANTAGES OF VARIABLES
 1. Control
2. Replicability
3. Accuracy
4. Generalizability
5. Clarity
SUMMARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Sharma Suresh K. NURSING RESEARCH & STATISTICS. Third edition. 2018. Relx India pvt Ltd.
Page no: 80
2. Basuanthappa BT. ESSENTIALS OF NURSING RESEARCH. First edition,2010. Jaypee brothers’
medical publishers (P) ltd. Page no: 46
3. Basuanthappa BT. NURSING RESEARCH. 2nd edition,2007. Jaypee brothers’ medical publishers (P)
ltd. Page no: 164
4. https://www.formpl.us.in
5. https://researchmethod.net
6. https://researchgate.in