VARIABLES
→Variable as the name implies, is something which varies
→Variables as those attributes of events, objects, things
and being which can be measured
→Variables are the characteristics or conditions that are
manipulated, controlled or observe by the experimenter
→Variables are identified events which change in value
→Statisticians gain information about a particular
situation by collecting data for random variables
Dependent and Independent Variable
The Dependent and
The dependent variable
independent variables are
where an experimenter
borrowed from
makes prediction
mathematics
The independent variable is
manipulated, measured Independent variables are
and selected by the assumed to affect
experimenter for the dependent variables
purpose of producing especially if they are
observable changes in the controlled in experiments
behavioral measure
TYPES OF VARIABLES
Qualitative variables
→are variables that can be placed into distinct categories,
according to some characteristic or attribute.
For example, if subjects are classified according to gender
(male or female), then the variable gender is qualitative.
Other examples of qualitative variables are religious
preference and geographic locations.
Quantitative variables
→Quantitative variables are numerical and can be ordered or
ranked. For example, the variable age is numerical, and
people can be ranked in order according to the value of
their ages.
Other examples of quantitative variables are heights, weights,
and body temperatures.
Manipulating Independent variables
→By manipulating context
→By presenting different stimuli
→By manipulating social setting in which confederates(not
actual subjects) used
→By manipulating intervening variables
→By manipulating the likely information to be given to the
subjects
→By manipulating physiological processes
→By stressing or overloading psychological system
Classification of Variables
Data
Qualitative Quantitative
Discerete
Continuous
Discrete variables
→Discrete variables can be assigned values such as 0, 1, 2, 3 and
are said to be countable.
→Discrete variables assume values that can be counted.
Examples of discrete variables are the number of children in a
family, the number of students in a classroom, and the number of
calls received by a switchboard operator each day for a month.
Continuous variables
→Continuous variables, by comparison, can assume an infinite
number of values in aninterval between any two specific values.
Temperature, for example, is a continuous variable, since the
variable can assume an infinite number of values between any
two given temperatures.
→Continuous variables can assume an infinite number of values
between any two specific values. They are obtained by
measuring. They often include fractions and decimals.
TYPES OF VARIABLES
Task Variables
→Refers to characterstics associated with a behavioral task
presented to the subject
→It includes different types of apparatus as well as task
performances
example: maze learning, number of wrong paths, reaction
time
Environmental Variables
Characteristics associated with Environment which are not
physical parts of the task but produce behavioral changes
Example: Noise, temperatures, levels of illumination,
Time of the day
Subject Variables
Refers to the characterstics of the subjects which are likely to
produce changes in the behavioral measures (animals or humans)
Natural subject variables are those subject carry within
themselves
example: Age, Sex, Weight and Anxiety
Induced subject variables are those which are induced by the
experimenter example: Noise, Light
The moderator variable are special types of
independent variables(also called secondary
independent variables)
These variables may alter the relationship
between the primary (main) independent
Moderato variable
r Variable Are those variables which are manipulated or
selected by the experimenter
example: Intelligence can divide into (High or
low) levels
Extraneous variables are controlled by the
researcher to avial proper results
Techniques of elimination like sound, light
Extraneous
or
Confoundin Constancy of condition to keep the participants
g Variables or subjects in constant control
Balancing is used when the experimenter does
not be able to find extraneous variables then
tries to balance the variables
Important consideration in selection of Variables
→Theoretical consideration
should know how the independent variable interacts with
dependent variable
→Design consideration
variables must be selected in view of scope of design of the
experiment
→Practical consideration
Time and avaible resources must be properly known by the
experimenter