Research Skills: Week 74

TYPES OF VARIABLES

Learn
It is understand that a variable is something that can be observed and measured.

Unlearn
However, variables could come in 4 different forms.

Relearn
Dependent Variable
Is the primary variable of interest. The researcher’s goal is to understand and describe the dependent variable or to explain its variability or predict it.

Independent Variable
Variable that influences the dependent variable. The variance in the dependent variable is accounted for by the independent variable.

Moderating Variable
A variable that has a strong contingent effect on the independent variable-dependent variable relationship. The presence of the moderating variable modifies the original relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.

Intervening Variable
Variable that surfaces between the time and the independents variable operates to influence the dependent variable and its impact on the dependent variable. An intervening variable is both the product of the independent variable and a cause of the dependent variable.