NAMA : SRI WAHYUNINGSIH ( 2 D )

NPM : 21902073031
MAKUL : QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

RESEARCH VARIABLES

Variable is a key term in research and every variable is measured by every research.
Variable must be clear and measurable when the researcher will conduct a research. Without
enough knowledge of variables, it is impossible for a researcher to start conducting research.

What is variable in research?

According to Charles (1995:29) as cited by Latief (2019:11) variable is as characteristics
that tend to differ from individual to individual, though any two or more individuals may have
the same variable trait or measure.
Example:
“Beauty” --- it cannot be measured or it is not measurable because it is difficult to get objective
measure of beauty.
“Intelligent, weight” --- are measurable can be measured.

What are the types of variables in research?

Research variables

X - Variables Y - Variables

Continuous Discrete Variables

Variables

Correlation No-manipulated Manipulated

Causal comparative experimental

A. Continuous Variables
 Continuous variables are variables that show the gradational differences in the
same trait possessed by individuals.
Continuous variables can be ranked an explained by the adjectives modifiers
(very, more), such as very big, (bigger), faster, higher (weight, height, speed). Sex
(gender) and profession don’t belong to continuous variables because we cannot say
“very male, or very teacher.”
Continuous variables can be used in correlation research. (“The correlation
between Students’ reading skills and their writing skills).
We cannot use continuous variables in causal design (the effect of students’
reading skills to their writing skills), because the correlation research doesn’t measure the
effect of one variable to another variable, but it measures how to or more variables co-
relate.
Example: “The study on investigation the correlation between students’ reading ability
with their achievement in writing.”
Assumption: There is correlation between students’ reading ability with their
achievement in writing.
Question: Do the higher reading ability students have, the higher students’ achievement
in writing?

B. Discrete Variables
Discrete variables are variables that cannot be ranked. These variables are used to
categorize people (like male group vs. female group; married group vs. unmarried group)
or are grouped by the researchers.
There are two kinds of discrete variables:
1. Non – Manipulated Discrete variables
It is a natural group, such as gender (female & male). It can be used in causal
comparative design.
Example: “The Study aims to investigate the difference between the female English
achievement and the male English achievement.”
Question: Do the female students achieve better than male students?
Assumption: There is a difference between female English achievement and the male
English achievement.
2. Manipulated Discrete Variable
It is grouped by the assignment by researchers (give treatment). It can be used in
experimental research to find cause and effect, such as teaching method, or the use of
media in teaching writing.
Example: “The Study aims to the effectiveness of using Jigsaw in English speaking
achievement.”
Question: Do the students using jigsaw get better score in English speaking than
students who don’t use jigsaw?
Assumption: There is an effect of the use jigsaw in English writing achievemet.