Understanding Types of Variables in Research

🔢Quantitative researchers and statisticians use variables to describe and measure the items, places, people, or ideas that they are studying.

🔎Independent variables are characteristics that other variables in an experiment cannot change, while dependent variables are the variables being measured.

🔬Intervening variables are used to explain the cause or connection between other study variables, while moderating variables change the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

📏Control variables are constant characteristics that do not change during a study, while extraneous variables are factors that affect the dependent variable but were not originally considered.

✨Confounding variables influence both the independent and dependent variables, while composite variables combine multiple variables to create a more complex variable.

What is the role of control variables in experiments?

—Control variables help ensure that the experiment results are fair and not biased by intentionally keeping certain variables constant.

How do confounding variables affect study results?

—Confounding variables can make study results biased or suggest a relationship between variables that does not exist, if not considered and controlled.

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

—Independent variables are characteristics that cannot be changed by other variables, while dependent variables are the ones being measured or observed.

How do intervening variables explain cause and connection?

—Intervening variables are used to explain the relationship between dependent and independent variables and how they are influenced by other factors.

What are composite variables?

—Composite variables combine multiple variables to create a more comprehensive and complex variable, such as overall health based on weight, blood pressure, and chronic pain.

00:02Quantitative researchers and statisticians use variables to describe and measure the items, places, people, or ideas that they are studying.

01:16Independent variables are characteristics that other variables in an experiment cannot change.

03:02A dependent variable is the type of variable being measured in quantitative research, particularly in experimental research.

04:43Intervening variables explain the cause or connection between other study variables.

06:16Control variables are characteristics that are constant and do not change during a study.

07:24Extraneous variables are factors that affect the dependent variable but were not originally considered.

08:09Confounding variables influence both the independent and dependent variables in a study.

09:01Composite variables combine multiple variables to create a more complex variable.