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VARIABLES

VARIABLES. Concepts that are operationalized (things that vary). Because things vary, research is conducted. How or why things vary How differences in one variable are related to another. Types of Variables. INDEPENDENT/DEPENDENT CRITERION/OUTCOME DICHOTOMOUS ATTRIBUTE/ACTIVE EXTRANEOUS

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VARIABLES

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  1. VARIABLES Concepts that are operationalized (things that vary)

  2. Because things vary, research is conducted • How or why things vary • How differences in one variable are related to another

  3. Types of Variables • INDEPENDENT/DEPENDENT • CRITERION/OUTCOME • DICHOTOMOUS • ATTRIBUTE/ACTIVE • EXTRANEOUS • INTERVENING • CONFOUNDING • UNCONTROLLED

  4. Independent Variable • The presumed cause • The manipulated variable in an experiment • The treatment • The “active” variable

  5. The Dependent Variable • The variable that the researcher is interested in understanding, explaining or predicting • The outcome variable • The “critereon variable”

  6. Independent /Dependent Variables • Variables are not inherently one kind or the other, you must look at them in the context of the study. • Causality is not necessarily implied, rather the directionality of the influence independent variable changes in the dependent variable

  7. Criterion variable • The dependent variable--the outcome

  8. Dichotomous variable • A variable having two (and only two) values e.g., male, female smoker, nonsmoker alive, dead

  9. Attribute and Active variables • Attribute variable--preexisting characteristic which researcher simply observes and measures, e.g. bloodtype, medical diagnosis, etc. • Active Variable--researcher creates or manipulates this, e.g. metrology class, experimental drug, etc.

  10. Extraneous Intervening Confounding Uncontrolled Variables which have an unwanted or irrelevant effect on the dependent variable under investigation. The kind of independent variable which may unexpectedly alter the results of the study Variables to be controlled for:

  11. CONTROLLING EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES • 1. HOMOGENEITY/ELIMINATION OF VARIABLE • 2. INCLUDE IN DESIGN • 3. MATCHING • 4. STATISTICAL CONTROL • 5. REPEATED MEASURES • 6. RANDOMIZATION

  12. Homogenity, Elimination of Var. • Use subjects who are homogeneous for the variable which is suspected may have a confounding effect on the results of the study. eg. If gender or age is thought to be a confounding factor use all one gender or all one age cohort as subjects, thus eliminating this as a factor

  13. Include in the design • Include the presumed intervening variable in the design of the study. • For example: If age is a factor include several age groups in the design and analyze the results separately for each group.

  14. Matching • Match subject in two groups on relevant characteristics such as age, gender, diagnosis.

  15. Statistical Control • After study is completed perform an analysis of covariance to determine if the presumed extraneous variable had an effecrt.

  16. Repeated Measures • If the variable is subject to fluxuation, measure several times under several different circumstances.

  17. Randomization • Overall, the best way to control extraneous variables. • Random assignment to groups means that all possible extraneous variables should be spread evenly between groups.

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