TYPES OF VARIABLES

1. Continuous and Discontinuous variables

Variables have different properties and to these properties we assign numerical
values. If the values of a variable can be divided into fractions, then we call it a
continuous variable. Such a variable can take infinite number of values. Income,
temperature, age, or a test score are examples of continuous variables. These
variables may take on values within a given range or, in some cases, an infinite
set. Any variable that has limited number of distinct values and which cannot be
divided into fractions, is a discontinuous variable. Such variable is also called
categorical variable or classificatory variable, or discrete variable. Some
variables have only two values, reflecting the presence or absence of a property:
employed-unemployed or male-female have two values.
2. Dependent and Independent Variables
Researcher who focus on casual relations usually begin with an effect, and then
search for its causes. The cause variable, or the one that identifies forces or
conditions that act on something else, is the independent variable. The variable
that is the effect or is the result or outcome of another variable is the dependent
variable (also referred to as outcome variables or effect variable). The
independent variable is “independent of” prior causes that act on it, whereas the
dependent variable “depends on” the cause. It is not always easy to determine
whether a variable is independent or dependent. Two questions help to identify the
independent variable. First, does it come before other variable in time? Second, if
the variables occur at the same time, does the research suggest that one variable
has an impact on another variable? Independent variables affect or have an impact
on other variables. When independent variable is present, the dependent variable
is also present, and with each unit of increase in the independent variable, there is
an increase or decrease on the dependent variable also. Dependent variable is also
referred to as criterion variable.

3. Moderating Variables
A moderating variable is one that has a strong contingent effect on the
independent variable-dependent variable relationship. That is the presence of a
third variable (the moderating variable) modifies the original relationship between
the independent and the dependent variable. For example, a strong relationship
has been observed between the quality of library facilities (X) and the
performance of the students (Y). Although this relationship is supposed to be true
generally, it is nevertheless contingent on the interest and inclination of the
students. It means that only those studies. In this relationship interest and
inclination is moderating variable i.e which moderates the strength of the
association between X and Y variables.
4. Intervening Variables
A basic causal relationship requires only independent and dependent variable. A
third type of variable, the intervening variable, appears in more complex casual
relationships. It comes between the independent and dependent variables and
shows the link or mechanism between them. Advances in knowledge depend not
only on documenting cause and effect relationship but also on specifying the
mechanism that account for the casual relation. In sense, the intervening variable
toward the dependent variable. A theory of suicide states that married people are
less likely to commit suicide than single people. The assumption is that married
people have greater social integration ( e.g. feelings of belonging to a group or
family). Hence a major cause of one type of suicide was that people lacked a
sense of belonging to group (family). Thus this theory can be restated as a three-
variable relationship material status (independent variable). Cause the degree of
social integration (intervening variable) which affects suicide (dependent
variable). Specifying the chain of causality makes the linkages in theory clearer
and helps a researcher text complex relationships. Looking at another finding that
five-day week work results in higher productivity. What is the process of moving
from the independent variable to the dependent variable? What exactly is that
factor which theoretically affects the observed phenomenon but cannot seen? Its
affects must be inferred the effects of independent variable on the dependent
variable. In this work-week hypothesis, on might view the intervening variable to
be the job satisfaction. To rephrase the statement it could be the introduction of
five-day work week (IV) well increase job satisfaction (IVV), which will lead to
higher productivity (DV).