My Content
Identify variables and formulate hypothesis
Variables
Types of variables / different types of Variables
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Other names for Dependent and Independent variables
Different to Independent and. Dependent Variable
Extraneous Variable
Confounding Variables
Continuous variable
Non-Continuous variable
Intervening variable / Mediator Variable
Demographic Variable
Active Variables
Attribute variable
Constant Variable / Controlled variable
Dichotomous variable
Trichotomous variable / Polytomous variable
How to measues variable
Measure
Measurement in Research
Types of Measurement Scales
Nominal or Classificator scale (Mode)
Ordinal or ranking scale (Median)
Interval scale. (Mean + Standard Divition)
Radio Scale (All Mathematic)
Identify variables and formulate hypothesis
The next step is to identify the variables of the study and formulate the hypothesis.
Variables
In research, the focus is usually on trying to understand the relationship between two activities or to analyse the effect of one activity on another. These activities are the variables.
• A measurable characteristic that varies / changes.
• It may change from person to person or even within one person over time.
Types of variables / different types of Variables
1. Independent variable (IV)
The cause supposed to be responsible for bringing about chang(s) in a phenomenon or situation.
•Changing to manipulation.
An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controll in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable.
2. Dependent variable (DV)
The outcome or change(s) brought about by introduction of an independent variable.
* Controle and observe to results / effect.
A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.
* A variable that we can observe or measure.
Other names for Dependent and Independent variables.
Dependent Variables Independent variables
Explained Variables Explanatory Variables
Predictand Variables Predictor Variables
Regressand Variable Regressor Variables
Responde Variables Stimulus Variables
Outcome Variables Covariate variables
Controlled Variables Control Variables
Different to Independent and. Dependent Variable
Dependent variable is a variable which is under the influence of another variable or which is affected by another variable of the system.
Independent variables are not under the influence of any other variable in the system.
Dependent variable is a variable which does not influence or affect another variable of the system.
Independent variables is a variable which influences or affects another variable of the system.
3. Extraneous Variable
Several other factors operating in a real-life situation may affect changes in the dependent variable.
These factors, not measured in the study, may increase or decrease the magnitude or strength of the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Sometimes called the confounding variable it links the independent and dependent.
In certain situations the relationship between an independent and a dependent variable cannot be established without the intervention of another variable.
The cause, or independent variable will have the assumed effect only in the presence of intervening variable.
Extraneous variables are not part of the system.
4. Confounding Variables
These are also similar to extraneous variable as they are also not part of the system. But these differ in the extent of their influence. These have stronger influence then extraneous variables.
5. Continuous variable
Continuous variable, on the other hand, have continuity in their measurement, for example age, income, weight.
6. Non-Continuous variable
These can only be expressed as whole numbers. Ex. - number of students.
7. Intervening variable / Mediator Variable
An intervening variable is a hypothetical variable used to explain causal links between other variables. Intervening variable cannot be observed in an experiment (that's why they are hypothetical). For example, there is an association between being poors and having a shorter life span.
8. Demographic Variable
These variables are used for describing samples and show that the sample in representative of the population. Common demographic variables are gender, age, income, occupation etc.
9. Active Variables
Those variables that can be manipulated, changed or controlled. These can be changed and are under the control of researcher.
10. Attribute variable
Those variable that cannot be manipulated, changed or controlled and that reflect the characteristics of the study population, for example — age, gender, education and income.
11.Constant Variable / Controlled variable
Constant variable has only one category or value, for example - taxi, tree and water.
12. Dichotomous variable
Dichotomous variable has only two categories, as in male/female, yes/No, good/bad, head/tail, up/down and rich/poor.
13. Trichotomous variable / Polytomous variable
Can be divided into more than two categories for example religion (Christian, Muslim, Hindu), Political Parties (Labor, liberal, Democrat) and attitudes (strongly, favourable funcertain, unfavourable, strongly unfavourable
How to measues variable
Measure
Ascertain the size, amount or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in a standard unit.
Measurement in Research
Measure physical objects as well as abstract concepts / when in concerns qualitative or abstract phenomena
Properties like weight, height, etc. can be measured directly with some standard unit of measurement.
But it is not that easy to measure properties like motivation to succed, ability to stand stress and the like.
By measurement we mean the process of assigning numbers to observation, words, and map them to some sort of corresponding scale with standard units.
Technically speaking, measurement is a process of mapping aspects of a domain onto other aspects of a range according to some rule of correspondence.
In measuring, we devise some from of objects from the domain onto this scale.
Types of Measurement Scales
Measurement Scales
Lowest Highest
Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio
Scale/ Scale/ Scale/ Scale/
(mode) ( Median) ( Mean+Standard Division) (All Mathematic)
1. Nominal or Classificator scale (Mode)
A nominal scale enables the classification of individuals, objects or responses based on a common / shared property or characteristic.
These people, objects or responses are divided into a number of subgroups in such a way that each member of the subgroup has a common characteristic.
A variable measured on a nominal scale may have one, two or more subcategories depending upon the extent of variation.
For example, "Water" and "Taxi" have only one subgroup whereas the variable "gender" can be classified into two subcategories : male and female.
2. Ordinal or ranking scale (Median)
An ordinal scale has all the properties of a nominal scale- categorizing individuals, objects, responses or a property into subgroup on the basis of a common characteristic but also ranks the subgroups in a certain order.
They are arranged in either ascending or descending order according to the extent that a subcategory reflects the magnitude of variation in the variable.
For example, income can be measured either quantitatively (in dollars and cents) or qualitatively, using subcategories : 'above average' 'average' and 'below average'.
3. Interval scale. (Mean + Standard Divition)
The interval scale is relative ; that is it plots the position of individuals or responses in relation to one another with respect to the magnitude of the measurement variable.
Hence, an interval scale has all the properties of an ordinal scale, and it has a unit of measurement with an arbitrary starting and terminating point.
Celsius and Fahrenheit scale are examples of an interval scale.
4. Radio Scale (All Mathematic)
A ratio scale has all the properties of nominal, ordinal and interval scale and it also has a starting point fixed at zero.
The measurement of income, age, hight, and weight are examples of this scale.
A person who is 40 years of age is twice as old as a 20 years old.
0-20 1
_____ = _____
0-20. 2
Notes :
Question :
1. An educated guess about what is controlling some behaviour is called
a. Experimental control b. A hypothesis
c. An experimental variable d. A theory
Ans:
2. It is best to use the method of working multiple hypothesis
a. During the final stages of research. b. While planning your research study.
c. At the time of publishing the results. d. None of the above
Ans:
3. To test null hypothesis, a researcher uses [June 2007]
a. t-test c. x2 (Chi-square test)
b. ANOVA d. Factorial analysis
Ans:
4. Hypothesis cannot be stated in
a. Declarative terms b. Null hypothesis and question form terms
c. General terms d. Directional terms
Ans:
5. What type of research would be least likely to include a research hypothesis?
a. Intervention research b. Associational research
c. Descriptive research d. None of the above
Ans:
6. The basis on which the assumptions are formulated is [June 2009]
a. Cultural background of the country b. Universities
c. Specific characteristics of the castes d. All the above
Ans:
7. A null hypothesis is [December 2009]
a. When there is no difference between the variables.
b. The same as research hypothesis.
c. Subjective in nature.
d. When there is difference between the variables.
Ans:
8. Research hypothesis are
a. A review of current research.
b. Statements of predicted relationships between variables.
c. Stated such that they can be confirmed or refuted.
d. Both (b) and (c)
Ans:
9. Which of the following best describes the development process for a research question?
a. A broad question is made more specific as terms are more clearly defined.
b. A broad question is made more specific in order to be more significant.
c. A specific question is broadened as terms are more clearly defined.
d. A specific question is broadened in order to be more significant.
Ans:
10. Good research questions are
a. Clear, significant and ethical. b. Feasible, clear, significant and ethical.
c. Feasible, clear, significant and include a hypothesis. d. Feasible, clear and ethical.
Ans:
11. The essential characteristic of a researchable question is
a. Question seems interesting to answer.
b. Possibility of data collection that can be collected in an attempt to answer a question.
c. Possibility of commercialization.
d. A significant positive change in society.
Ans:
12. A good hypothesis should be
a. Formulated in such a way that it can be tested by the data.
b. Precise, specific and consistent with most known facts.
c. of limited scope and should not have global significance.
d. All the above
Ans:
13. A hypothesis can be described as
a. Just as a hunch.
b. A wild guess.
c. Atype of statement made by researchers when they are attempting to get funding for their research.
d. A prediction of some sort regarding the possible outcomes of a study.
Ans:
14. Formulation of hypothesis may not be required in
a. Survey method b. Historical studies
c. Experimental studies d. Normative studies
Ans:
15. An operational definition is
a. No relation to the underlying concept. b. An abstract, theoretical definition of a concept.
c. In terms of specific and empirical measures. d. None of the above
Ans:
16. What is the purpose of the conclusion in a research report?
a. It explains how concepts were operationally defined and measured.
b It summarizes the key findings in relation to the research questions.
c. It contains a useful review of the relevant literature.
d. It outlines the methodological procedures that were employed.
Ans:
17. Which of the following is an advantage of stating hypothesis?
a. It forces the researcher to think more deeply and specifically about the possible outcomes of a study. b. It simplifies the study.
c. It clarifies definitions.
d. It reduces researcher bias.
Ans:
18. Which of the following is an example of a directional hypothesis?
a. There will be a difference between the students' reading levels.
b. There will be a difference between lecture and group instruction.
c. Group instruction is more effective than lecture in the elementary classroom.
d. There will be an increase in learning.
Ans:
19. Formulation of hypothesis may not be necessary in
a. Survey studies b. Fact finding historical research
c. Experimental studies d. None of the above
Ans:
20. Which of the following is true in context of a hypothesis?
a. It is a tentative proposition. b. The validity of hypothesis is unknown.
c. It must be generalizable. d. All the above
Ans:
21. In mixed methods research, quantitative and qualitative findings should be
a. Listed in the order of importance. b. Contained in separate sections.
c. Integrated d. Shown fully in appendices.
Ans:
22. Attributes of objects, events or things which can be measured are called
a. Qualitative measure b. Data
c. Variables d. None of the above
Ans:
23. A statistical technique used for large number of variables to establish whether there is a tendency of groups to
be interrelated is [December 2006]
a. Simple correlation c. Factor analysis
b. Multiple correlation d. None of the above
Ans:
24. When studying an active independent variable, an intervention or treatment given to group of participants is
called
a. Experimental group c. Both (a) and (b)
b. Control group d. Neither (a) or (b)
Ans:
25. Which of the following can best be described as a categorical variable?
a. Age b. Annual income
c. Grade point average d. Religion
Ans:
26. The experimental studies are based on [December 2007]
a. The manipulation of the variables b. Conceptual parameters
c. Replication of research d. Survey of literature
Ans:
27. A manipulated independent variable is called?
a. Extraneous variable c. Subject variable
b. Intervening variable d. Active variable
Ans:
28. Control groups and experimental groups are exactly the same except for
a. Dependent variable b. Independent variable
c. Extraneous variables d. Replication variables
Ans:
29. The behaviour that is measured during an experiment is known as the
a. Confounding variable b. Independent variable
c. Dependent variable d. Control variable
Ans:
30. This type of longitudinal research studies the same individuals over an extended period of time.
a. Trend study c. Both (a) and (b)
b. Panel study d. Neither (a) nor (b)
Ans:
31. An example of a categorical variable is
a. Teacher's hair colour.
b. Average time it takes a teacher to grade an essay.
c. Distance a teacher has to travel from the office to her class.
d. None of the above
Ans:
32. Which variables are those that a researcher chooses to study in order to assess their possible effects on one or
more other variables?
a. Dependent c. Extraneous
b. Independent d. None of the above
Ans:
33. A condition or characteristic that can take on different values or categories is called
a. A constant b. A variable
c. A cause-and-effect relationship d. A descriptive relationship
Ans:
34. Which of the following includes examples of quantitative variables?
a. Age, temperature, income and height.
b. Grade point average, anxiety level and reading performance.
c. Gender, religion and ethnic group.
d. Both (a) and (b)
Ans:
35. In research, something that does not 'vary' is called a
a. Variable b. Method
c. Constant d. None of the above
Ans:
36. We use factorial analysis [June 2009]
a. To know the relationship between two variables. b. To test the hypothesis.
c. To know the difference between two variables. d. To know the difference among many variables
Ans:
37. A variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable is called
a. A categorical variable b. A dependent variable
c. An independent variable d. An intervening variable
Ans:
38. Which of the following independent variables cannot be manipulated in a research study?
a. Gender b. Ethnicity
c. Intelligence and other traits d. None of the above
Ans:
39. In an experimental design, the dependent variable is the one
a. In which any changes are observed b. Which is not manipulated
c. Both (a) and (b) d. None of the above
Ans:
40. This variable depends upon what is done to it by the independent variable.
a. Extraneous c. Manipulated
b. Dependent d. All the above
Ans:
41. Extraneous variables are essentially
a. Independent variables b. Dependent variables
c. Independent or dependent d. Neither independent nor dependent
Ans:
42. These variables are those that are created by the researcher and are typically found in experimental studies.
a. Extraneous b. Manipulated
c. Dependent d. None of the above
Ans:
43. An experiment is performed to test the effects of sleep deprivation on rote memory. In this experiment, the
dependent variable is
a. Number of hours subjects go without sleep.
b. Rote memory scores.
c. Number of subjects deprived of sleep in the experimental group.
d. Correlation between hours of sleep and fatigue.
Ans:
44. The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experiment is called the
a. Response variable b. Independent variable
c. Dependent variable d. Extraneous variable.
Ans:
45. Which of the following would not be an appropriate synonym for the dependent variable?
a. Outcome variable b. Response variable
c. Effected variable d. Experimental variable
Ans:
46. An example of quantitative variable is the
a. Date of birth b. Highest educational qualification
c. Time taken to complete a task d. Postal code
Ans:
Library Sciences Question
47. “Students’ visit to Library is influenced
by the availability of Internet”. State
“Students’ visit to library” is which kind
of variable?
A. Independent Variable B. Intervening Variable
C. Dependent Variable D. Intercept Variable
Ans:
48.
No comments:
Post a Comment