What is a variable?

Michael Edward P. Buenaflor

 Answer the following questions:
• Are you a K-pop fan?
• What month is your birthday?
• How many hours do you spend online per day?
• Rank these courses based on your preferred subjects (1 most preferred – 5 least
preferred).
➢ Statistics
➢ Algebra
➢ Chemistry
➢ Biology
➢ Accountancy
Variable is …

• A property of a concept that takes on different values.

• A symbol to which numbers or values are attached.
• Something that varies.
Concept vs. Variable

CONCEPTS VARIABLES

• Mental Images • Measurable

• Perceptions • Unit of
• Different meanings Measurements
per individual
Examples of concepts and variable

• Effectiveness
Concepts • High Academic Achiever
• Socio-economic status

• Gender (male or female)

Variables • Height ( ___ cm)
• Weight ( ___ kg)
Convert Concepts to Variables

•Socio-economic
Indicators •Net Income
Income (php/year)
•Income •Monetary Value of
•Assets ownerships (cars,
houses, Investments)

Concept Variables
Convert Concepts to Variables

Indicators
• High • High if >
Academic • Percentage 90%
Achiever of marks

Concept Variables
 Review: Scales of Measurement
Scales Same Magnitude Equal Absolute
Property Intervals Zero
across the
subgroup
NOMINAL  X X X
ORDINAL   X X
INTERVAL    X
RATIO    
 ACTIVITY:
Convert each Concepts to Variables
Concepts Indicators Variables
Educational
Attainment
Age
Smoker
Sizes of Shirt
Examination Grade