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Module 5 ( Week 5 ) Nature of Inquiry and Research

Reference: Practical Research 2, Esther L. Baraceros

Module Overview
This module explores the quantity and quality of variables. Variable is something that take change on the outcome of
your research. Anything that can be vary and contains a numerical values in order for something to be variable.

Lesson 5: Variables

Objectives/ Desired Learning Outcomes

Cognitive: Define variables;
Affective: Characterize variables;
Psychomotor: Compare and contrast types of variables.

Variables

Variables are “ changing qualities or characteristics” of persons or things like age, gender, intelligence, ideas,
achievements, confidence, and so on that are involved in your research study.

Types

Basically are of two types: independent variables and dependent variables.

Independent variables are those that cause changes in the subject, while independent variables are those that bear
or manifest the effects caused by the independent variables. Ina causal relationship, the cause comes from the
independent variables; the effects, on the dependent variables.

Variable Relationship

In a scientific way of studying cause-effect relationships, these two variables, independent and dependent variable are
part and parcel of the research because the first one is the cause; the second, the effect that can subject to any form of
measurement .

Other types of Variables

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 a part of identified model.

ACTIVITY 1

Directions: Write C if it is correct and W if it is wrong.

______1. All variables are prone to changes or variations.
______2. All variables are controllable.
______3. The effects of something on dependent variables are measurable.
______4. Only words can express the effects of variables on dependent variables.
______5. The effects of something can be shown through fractions and percentages.
______6. It is wrong to expose the variables to changeable factors.
______7. Attribute variables have the same meaning as participants.
______8. The experimenter relates himself/ herself with the independent variable.
______9. Extraneous variables are nuisance variables.
______10. Extraneous variables are as significant as independent variables.

SELF- CHECK

Identify the independent and dependent variable in each research problem. Write your answer under the right column.

Research Queue Independent Variable Dependent Variable

1. How does logical thinking
develop critical thinking?

2. What are the effects of

Koreanovelas on the Filipino
value system?

3. In what way does collaborative

learning increase communicative
competence?

4. To what extent does texting

decrease students’ grammatical
competence?

5. What corrupt practices trigger off

one’s resignation?

SELF- REFLECT

Directions: Rate your understanding of the concepts behind the following topics by checking the column of your
answer (1-10).

Topics Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent

1. Meaning of variables
2. Dependent variables
3. Independent variables
4. Relationship between the two
basic variables
5. Role of extraneous variables
6. Confounding variables
7. Essence of variables
8. Types of attributes
9. Differences among variables
10. Control variables vs.
controlled variables