PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2

Name: _______________________________ Grade & Section: __________________

Date: ________________________________

Learning Activity Sheet

The Nature of Variables

I. Background Information for Learners

According to Laerd Statistics, variables refer to something that can take more than one value and
values can be words or numbers.
The nature of variables are the following:
1. nominal variable – have 2 or more categories but which do not have intrinsic order
2. ordinal variable – the categories can be ordered or ranked
3. interval variable – can be measured along a continuum and they have a numerical value
4. ratio variable - are interval variables with the added condition that zero of the measurement
indicates that there are is none of that variable.
Additionally, the kinds of variables are the following:
1. Independent Variables – are variables the experimenter changes or controls and is assumed
to have a direct effect on the dependent variable (Saul 2019). Example: Title “Effects of Age on
the Quarterly Grades of Senior High School Students”, Dependent Variable (Quarterly Grades),
Independent Variable (Age).
2. Dependent Variables – are variable being tested and measured in an experiment and is
'dependent' on the independent variable (Saul 2019). Example: Title “Effects of Age on the
Quarterly Grades of Senior High School Students”, Dependent Variable (Quarterly Grades),
Independent Variable (Age).
3. Intervening/Mediating Variables - variable that helps explain the relationship between two
variables. Example: Title “Effects of Age on the Quarterly Grades of Senior High School
Students”, Dependent Variable (Quarterly Grades), Independent Variable (Age), Possible
Intervening Variable (Age Bracket).
4. Control Variables – are variables which the researcher holds constant (controls) during an
experiment (Helmenstine 2020). Example: Title “The Relationship of Content-Based Integration
Activities to Quarterly Grades of Senior High School Students”, Control Variable (Grades of
Students in a Control Group that does not facilitate Content-Based Integration Activities),
Experimental Variable (Grades of Students in a Experimental Group that facilitates Content-
Based Integration Activities)
5. Confounding Variables – are variables, other than the independent variable that you're
interested in, that may affect the dependent variable (McDonald 2014). Example: Title “Effects
of Age on the Quarterly Grades of Senior High School Students”, Dependent Variable (Quarterly
Grades), Independent Variable (Age), Possible Confounding Variable (Family Income, Social
Status, etc.).
II. Learning Skills from the MELCS
Differentiate kinds of variables and their uses (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3).
III. Activities
A. Nature of Variables
Classify each word into the nature of variables they belong.
1. biological sex 6. educational level
2. gender 7. height
3. political affiliation 8. mass
4. temperature 9. distance
5. classroom ranking 10. age bracket
Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

B. Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is to answer the question: “Does Rogooti (which
is a commercial hair product) affect the speed of hair growth”. Her family is willing to volunteer
for the experiment.

Question: Describe how Lisa would perform this experiment. Identify the following:
1. independent variable
2. dependent variable
3. control group/constant
4. intervening variable
5. confounding variable
IV. Evaluation
Identify the kind of variables in each item. (independent, dependent, constant, intervening,
confounding variables)
1. A study was done to find if fuel types affect the engine’s performance in a car.
a. Independent
b. Dependent
c. Constant
d. Intervening
e. Confounding
2. The time it takes to run a mile depends on the persons running speed.
a. Independent
b. Dependent
c. Constant
d. Intervening
e. Confounding

V. Reflection
Knowing the definition of variables, nature and kinds, and their uses in an academic research
setting, can you use this knowledge in your day-to-day life? How?
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VI. Rubric
5 4 3
Content is complete
with explanation of the Content contains only
Content does not meet
Content importance and the importance of
the requirements.
application of the variables in daily life.
variable in daily life.
The sentences are
The sentences are The sentences cannot
Organization and properly written,
well-written but is not be understood due to
Structure organized and easily
organized. poor handwriting.
understood.