Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBALES
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391
E-mail Address: zambales@deped.gov.ph
website: www.depedzambales.ph

Name: ______________________________________ Grade/Section__________

School: _____________________________________ Date: __________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 WEEK 3
I. Introduction
This is your 3rd week in studying Practical Research 2 and hopefully
you are still enjoying your journey. While Learning Activity Sheet 2
focused on the importance of quantitative research in our daily lives,
Learning Activity Sheet will focus on the different kinds of variables and
their uses.
In this lesson, you will understand the different terms about variables
such as continuous, interval, ratio, discrete, nominal, ordinal,
independent, dependent, intervening, control, and confounding. You will
also start conceptualizing quantitative research titles that you will later
form and complete this semester.
With the knowledge that you will gain here, it is expected that you
will develop a deeper understanding on how quantitative research works,
and how it is different from qualitative research.

II. Learning Competency

Demonstrate understanding of the nature of variables

III. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:
1. define variables;
2. differentiate kind of variables and their uses; and
3. provide examples for each kind of variable.
IV. Discussion
THE VARIABLES IN RESEARCH

VARIABLE defined

1. Variable is a symbol to which we assign numerical values (Kerlinger,

1977).
2. Variable refers to characteristics that has two or more mutually
exclusive values or properties (Sevilla, et.al., 1988).
3. Variable refers to any characteristic that can have different values or
traits that may vary across research participants. Variables are
measured, controlled, and manipulated by the researcher. Examples
include age, gender, height, and weight (Cristobal, 2017).
4. Variable is something that can take more than one value, and values
can be words or numbers (Bernard, 1994).
5. A variable specifically refers to characteristics, or attribute of an
individual or an organization that can be measured or observed and
that varies among the people or organization being studied (Creswell,
2002).

TYPES OF VARIABLES (Allen, Titsworth and Hunt in Mariano, 2019)

1. CONTINUOUS VARIABLES
 A variable that can take infinite number on the value that can
occur within the population. This means this type of variable
would literally take us forever to count.
 For example, we have age (a person can be 29 years, 1 month,
25 days, 12 hours, and 50 seconds to 89 years, 4 months, 2
days, 1 hour and so on), height (a person can be 4 feet tall to as
high as 7 feet or a measurement within the range of human
height), and temperature (36.6, 36.7, 36.8, 40.2 and so on).
 This variable can take on almost any numeric value and can be
meaningfully divided into smaller increments, including
fractional and decimal values (e.g. 3.34 kilometers or 3 ½
grams).
 Continuous variables can be further categorized as:

a. INTERVAL VARIABLES
 Interval variable is the difference between two data values
that gives credible meaning.
  Examples of interval data include temperature (you can
measure temperature below 0 degrees Celsius, such as -10
degrees), time (numbers on a wall clock are on an interval
scale since they are equidistant and measurable), a person’s
net worth (how much money a person has when debt is
subtracted from assets), IQ Test (one cannot have zero IQ)
etc.
 Meaning to say, interval scales hold no true zero and can
represent values below zero.

b. RATIO VARIABLES
 It has values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of
numbers when there is absolute zero.
 This means that ratio variables are variables that cannot be
zero or below zero.
 For example, you cannot have 0 height or 0 weight.

2. DISCRETE VARIABLES
 Also known as categorical or classificatory variable, discrete
variable is any variable that has limited number of distinct values
and which cannot be divided into fractions.
 Examples include sex, blood group, number of children in family,
number of trees, number of chairs, etc.
 Discrete variable may also be categorized into:

a. NOMINAL VARIABLE
 This is a type of discrete variable that cannot be ordered in
any way.
 Common examples of this variable include eye color, religion,
biological sex, etc.

b. ORDINAL VARIABLE
 This is a type of discrete variable that can be ordered from
greatest to smallest.
 Common examples of this variable are socio-economic status
(“low income”, “middle income”, “high income”), income level
(“less than 20k, 20k-25k, 25k-30k), satisfaction rating (not
very much, much, very much).
KINDS OF VARIABLES

1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
 This kind of variable is the one responsible for the conditions that
influence, affect, or change the dependent variable.
 This variable is also commonly known as treatment, manipulated,
antecedent or predictor variables.

EXAMPLE:

 Title: Effects of Brainstorming Technique in the Academic

Performance of Students in Research
Independent Variable: BRAINSTORMING TECHNIQUE because
it influenced the outcome or the performance of the students.

 Title: ICT – based instruction in Improving Students’

Performance
Independent Variable: ICT – BASED INSTRUCTION because it
influenced the outcome or the performance of the students.

 Title: Effects of Kumustahan Sessions in Reducing Teachers’

Stress
 Independent Variable: KUMUSTAHAN SESSIONS because it
influenced the levels of teachers’ stress.

2. DEPENDENT VARIABLES
 Variables that depend on the independent variables
 They are the outcomes or results of the influence of the
independent variable. That is why it is also called outcome
variable.

 Title: Effects of Brainstorming Technique in the Academic

Performance of Students in Research
Dependent Variable: ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE is the
dependent variable because it is depending on the brainstorming
technique; if the technique is effective to students, their academic
performance may change.
  Title: ICT – based instruction in Improving Students’ Performance
Dependent Variable: STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE is the
dependent variable because it is depending on ICT – based
instruction; if the technique is effective to students, their academic
performance may change.

 Title: Effects of ‘Kumustahan’ Sessions in Reducing Teachers’

Stress
Dependent Variable: TEACHERS’ STRESS is the dependent
variable because it is depending on ‘kumustahan’ sessions; if the
intervention is effective to teachers, their stress levels will be
reduced.

3. INTERVENING OR MEDIATING VARIABLES

 Variables that “stand between” the independent and dependent
variables, and they show the effects of the independent variable on
the dependent variable.

EXAMPLE: According to a study, there is a direct effect of a person’s

position in a company with his/her spending habits. In a related study,
it was found out that this was because the higher the position is, the
higher salary an employee receives. Meaning to say, an employee with a
higher position has more money to spend than an employee with a lower
position. Therefore, salary is the intervening or mediating variable.
Meanwhile, the position in the company is called a
predictor/independent variable while the spending habits is called an
outcome/dependent variable.

4. CONTROL VARIABLES
 Variables that must be hold constant during an experiment.
 If this type of variable changes in the middle of an experiment, the
researcher will not be able to ensure the validity of the correlation
between the dependent and the independent variables.

EXAMPLE: In a study about the growth of a plant, variables such as

temperature, amount of light, or humidity may be considered as control
variables depending on the nature of the experiment. A slight change on
these variables may affect the result of the study.
 5. CONFOUNDING VARIABLES
 Variables that are not actually measured or observed in a study.
 They exist but their influence cannot be directly detected in a
study.
 However, it must not be ignored since it can be considered as an
alternative determinant of the outcome.
 It can be explained in the statement, “You expect that X causes Y,
but in fact A causes Y or both X and A do so”.
 Meaning to say, there are studies where we think that the
independent variable (X) affected the dependent variable (Y), but in
fact was affected by a confounding variable (A) that is not
manipulated or controlled by the researcher or both (X and A)
affected it (Y).

EXAMPLE: A researcher stated that there was an improvement on

students’ writing skills when the repeating strategy was used on the
learners. However, a related study found out that learners’ individual
changed study habits at home may be, if not the real main reason,
contributed to the improvement of the learners’ writing skills.

V. Activities
A. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Directions: Answer the following questions/tasks briefly. Your output will
be evaluated using the 5-point rubric below.

1. Give your own definition of variable. Added twist: Answer without

using the letter ‘o’.
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
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 2. Differentiate continuous variable from discrete variables. Give 5
examples for each type.
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3. Discuss the 5 kinds of variables and give 3 examples for each kind.
______________________________________________________________________________
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5-point Rubric
Level Description Value
Outstanding Well written and very organized. 5
Excellent grammar mechanics.
Clear and concise statements.
Excellent effort and presentation with detail.
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic.
Good Writes fairly clear. 4
Good grammar mechanics.
Good presentation and organization.
Sufficient effort and detail.
Fair Minimal effort. 3
Minimal grammar mechanics.
Fair presentation.
Few supporting details.
Poor Somewhat unclear. 2
Shows little effort.
Poor grammar mechanics.
Confusing and choppy, incomplete sentences.
No organization of thoughts.
Very Poor Lacking effort. 1
Very poor grammar mechanics.
Very unclear.
Does not address topic.
B. WHICH IS WHICH? Classify the given variables.

Continuous vs Discrete Answer

a. 28 kids
b. 1.32 miles
c. 3 ½ kilograms
d. 3 mobile phones
e. 10 workers
Interval vs Ratio Answer
f. Temperature
g. Time
h. IQ Test
i. Height
j. Weight
Ordinal vs. Nominal Answer
k. Likert scale
l. Color of hair
m. Socio-economic status
n. Religion
o. Eye color

C. DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT? Identify the independent and

dependent variables in the following statements.

1. Eating five times a day will make your body weak.

Dependent Variable:
Independent Variable:
2. Eating breakfast will make you active during class discussions.
Dependent Variable:
Independent Variable:
3. Kumustahan sessions reduce teachers’ stress.
Dependent Variable:
Independent Variable:
4. Healthy body is a result of regular exercise.
Dependent Variable:
Independent Variable:
5. Christmas makes people do good deeds.
Dependent Variable:
Independent Variable:
 D. LET’S CONCEPTUALIZE! Think of 10 research titles you are interested
to conduct. One of these titles will be your final working title that you will
be conducting for the rest of the semester.
1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

E. WHERE ARE YOUR VARIABLES? Using your ten (10) research titles,
write the variables used and identify its kind/type.

Title Variable Kind/ Variable Kind/ Variable Kind/ Variable Kind/

No. 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
 F. Choose five (5) research titles that you are interested the most and
present it to your teacher. Write at least three (3) research questions for
each.

Title Research Questions

1. A.
B.
C.
2. A.
B.
C.
3. A.
B.
C.
4. A.
B.
C.
5. A.
B.
C.

VI. Assessment
Multiple Choice. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. It refers to characteristics that has two or more mutually exclusive

values or properties.
A. Variables
B. Research
C. Population
D. Reliability

2. It is a variable that can take infinite number on the value that can occur
within the population.
A. Variables
B. Discrete Variables
C. Continuous Variables
D. Confounding Variables

3. This kind of variable is the one responsible for the conditions that
influence, affect, or change the dependent variable. This variable is also
 commonly known as treatment, manipulated, antecedent or predictor
variables.
A. Dependent Variables
B. Cheyney Variables
C. Nominal Variables
D. Independent Variables

4. These are variables that “stand between” the independent and dependent
variables, and they show the effects of the independent variable on the
dependent variable.
A. Intervening Variables
B. Mediating Variables
C. A & B
D. None of the above

5. These are variables that are not actually measured or observed in a

study. They exist but their influence cannot be directly detected in a
study.
A. Confounding Variables
B. Mediating Variables
C. Bivariate Variables
D. Slovak Variables

6. This is a type of discrete variable that cannot be ordered in any way.

Common examples of this variable include eye color, religion, biological
sex, etc.
A. Nominal Variables
B. Ordinal Variables
C. Confounding Variables
D. Mediating Variables

7. This is a type of discrete variable that can be ordered from greatest to

smallest. Common examples of this variable are socio-economic status,
income level, and satisfaction rating.
A. Nominal Variables
B. Ordinal Variables
C. Confounding Variables
D. Mediating Variables
 8. Also known as categorical or classificatory variable, this type of variable
has limited number of distinct values and which cannot be divided into
fractions.
A. Confounding Variables
B. Discrete Variables
C. Ratio Variables
D. Mediating Variables

9. It has values that lie along an evenly dispersed range of numbers when
there is absolute zero.
A. Confounding Variables
B. Discrete Variables
C. Ratio Variables
D. Mediating Variables

10. It is the difference between two data values that gives credible meaning.
A. Ratio Variables
B. Discrete Variables
C. Interval Variables
D. Confounding Variables

VII. Reflection

A. Write 3 things that you have learned from this Learning Activity Sheet, 2
things which need further explanation, and 1 word to represent today’s
learning session. Explain each of your answers.

3 things you have learned

1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 2 things which need further explanation

1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

1 word to represent today’s learning session

1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

B. Go back to the five (5) research titles you and your adviser have chosen.
Reflect on each title and on the space provided, provide reasons why
these topics must be studied.

Title 1: ______________________________________________________________________
Reason:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Title 2: ______________________________________________________________________
Reason:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Title 3: ______________________________________________________________________
Reason:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Title 4: ______________________________________________________________________
Reason:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Title 5: ______________________________________________________________________
Reason:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Author: BRYAN JESTER S. BALMEO

Head Teacher I, Poonbato Integrated School
Botolan District Research Coordinator

Content Editor: RACHELLE CRISOSTOMO – DIVIVA

Education Program Supervisor, Mathematics
Schools Division of Zambales
References:

Bueno, D. (2016). Practical qualitative research writing. Quezon City: Great

Books Trading

Bueno, D. (2016). Practical quantitative research writing (for senior high

school). Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Chetty, P. (2016). Limitations and weakness of quantitative research methods.

Project Guru. Retrieved at https://www.projectguru.in/limitations-
quantitative-research/

Cristobal, A. & Dela Cruz – Cristobal, M. (2017). Practical research for senior
high school. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Mariano, J, (2019). Compilation in Practical Research 2.

https://kupdf.net/download/practical-research-2
module_5b3b889fe2b6f56e60fe704f_pdf

Wa-Mbaleka, S. (2018). Writing your thesis and dissertation qualitatively: fear

no more. Silang, Cavite, Philipines: Oikos Biblios Publishing House

Word Press.com (n.d.) Retrieved at

https://wordpressstorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/wp-media/wp-
content/uploads/sites/679/2018/07/5-POINT-RUBRIC.pdf