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PR2-Lesson 1

The document provides an overview of key concepts in practical research, focusing on variables, including independent, dependent, intervening, moderator, constant, and extraneous variables. It explains the role of experimental research in establishing cause-and-effect relationships and discusses the importance of modifications in experimental design. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of variable and their relevance in research studies.

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3 views3 pages

PR2-Lesson 1

The document provides an overview of key concepts in practical research, focusing on variables, including independent, dependent, intervening, moderator, constant, and extraneous variables. It explains the role of experimental research in establishing cause-and-effect relationships and discusses the importance of modifications in experimental design. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of variable and their relevance in research studies.

Uploaded by

irralouis
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 REVIEWER

Lesson 1: Variable & Types

● VARIABLE
- It is a representation of measurable characteristics.
- Any character, trait or factor that could change or vary in an experiment or study.
Example:
- In a study on the effect of study time on exam performance, study time and
exam performance are variables.

Wright & Lake (n.d.) - It is a characteristic of a feature that varies or changes within a
study.

● INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
- “Manipulated Variable” / “Grouping Variable”
- Can stand alone
- It is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher to observe its
effect on the dependent variable.
- Constant and not affected by other variables measured.
- The variable that’s different between the groups compared.
Example:
In a study testing the effect of different teaching methods on student performance, the
teaching method (e.g., traditional, online, or blended) is the independent variable
because it is what the researcher is changing to see if it influences performance.

● DEPENDENT VARIABLE
- “Outcome Variable”
- Measured in each subject, which may be influenced by the manipulation of the
independent variable.
- The dependent variable is the variable being measured or tested in the
experiment. It is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the
independent variable. It represents the outcome or effect.
Example:
Using the previous example of teaching methods, the student performance (measured
by test scores) is the dependent variable because it is what is being measured in
response to the teaching method.
● EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
- Variable influenced by the independent variable.
- Experimental research involves systematically manipulating one or more
independent variables and measuring their effect on one or more dependent
variables, while controlling for extraneous variables. This type of research aims
to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Example:
A researcher randomly assigns students to different groups (each with a different
teaching method), controls other variables (e.g., class size, subject difficulty), and
measures student performance to see which method leads to the best results.

● MODIFICATION
- Changing something or looking for areas of gaps.
- Modification refers to changes made to the experimental design or variables to
observe how those changes influence the outcome. It can include adjusting the
levels of the independent variable, altering the experimental conditions, or
refining the measurements.
Example:
If the initial experiment used 30-minute teaching sessions, a modification might involve
increasing the session length to 60 minutes to see if longer study times result in better
performance.

● INTERVENING & MODERATOR VARIABLE


- Connects or links both independent and dependent variables.
- Abstract
- Intervening variable (also called a mediator) is a variable that occurs between
the independent variable and the dependent variable and helps to explain the
relationship between them. It’s not directly manipulated, but it mediates the
effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
Example:
In a study on the impact of study time on exam scores, student fatigue could be an
intervening variable. While study time influences exam performance, fatigue that builds
over time might also play a role in affecting how well students perform on the exam.

- moderator variable affects the strength or direction of the relationship between


the independent and dependent variables. It doesn’t change during the
experiment but influences how the independent variable affects the dependent
variable.
Example:
In a study on the effect of different teaching methods on student performance, student
motivation could be a moderator variable. The impact of the teaching method might
differ for highly motivated students versus less motivated students.

● CONSTANT OR CONTROLLABLE VARIABLE


- Unchangeable
- A constant or controllable variable is a variable that is kept the same
throughout the experiment to ensure it does not influence the results.
Researchers control these variables to maintain consistency and ensure the
integrity of the experiment.
Example:
In the teaching method study, classroom environment (e.g., temperature, lighting,
noise levels) might be a controllable variable. Keeping these constant ensures that any
observed effects on student performance are due to the teaching method, not external
factors.

● EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE
- “ Unforeseen Factors”
- Not intentional
Example:
In the teaching method experiment, prior knowledge of students could be an
extraneous variable. If one group has more prior knowledge than another, it could affect
their performance, regardless of the teaching method.

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