Understanding and Types of Research Variables – Compiling scientific work in the form of research is indeed not an easy matter. The compilation that must be done systematically and methodologically requires us to always be careful and precise in writing it.
In research, the elements that are known are such as problem formulation , hypothesis , theoretical studies, variables, operational definitions and so on. Recognizing the elements in the research is also an important thing that must be prioritized by researchers before conducting research so that we can understand how the research will work.
In this article we will discuss one of the elements in the research, namely variables. Research variables are one of the important elements in research.
Research variables can be interpreted as a concept in a study. This concept then becomes something that must be observed or studied by a researcher. More details about the definition of research variables, let’s see directly below, let’s go!
Understanding Research Variables
According to Sugiyono (2016), a research variable is an attribute or characteristic or value of something (person, object or activity) that has a certain variation determined by the researcher to be studied further. As a result, information is obtained about it and then conclusions are drawn.
According to Effendi (1982), research variables as a concept that contains variations in value. Research variables certainly have diverse (varied) properties. The variation in values in this research variable refers to the variety of characteristics—different from one to another.
Let’s take an example of a study entitled ” the effect of reading interest on student learning achievement ” in the study the research variables are reading interest and student learning achievement. The high and low reading interest and student learning achievement results must vary because they differ from one student to another.
In addition to being varied, research variables must also be measurable. Given that quantitative research requires its research results to be objective, measurable and always open to testing.
The use of the term research variable is better known in quantitative research—a type of research whose results are obtained through mathematical calculations.
In more descriptive research, qualitative research, variables are usually known as concepts and are difficult to measure. In this article we will discuss research variables that are often used in quantitative research.
Research variables are also very important and fundamental in research. This is because research variables are the initial stage of writing a study in determining what to research. A study certainly cannot exist without research variables.
To find out more clearly about research variables, we can look at the types of research variables that are commonly known in research below.
Also read: What is Research Methodology?
There are various types of research variables. The types of research variables can vary depending on the research we are doing. The basis for distinguishing them also varies from their nature, the relationship between variables, the type of measurement scale, and so on.
Types of Research Variables Based on the Relationship between Variables
Based on the nature of the relationship between variables, research variables are divided into two, namely:
1. Independent Variable
Independent variable means a variable that has an influence on changes that occur in other variables. A change that occurs in a variable is considered to be caused by this independent variable.
For example, research with the title “the effect of reading interest on student learning achievement” the independent variable is reading interest because the variable stands alone and is considered to influence changes that occur in other variables, namely student learning achievement. This type of variable is also commonly referred to as a stimulus or influence variable.
2. Dependent Variable
In contrast to independent variables, dependent variables mean variables that are influenced by other variables. The existence of this variable is considered to be a result of the existence of the independent variable. The example is still with the same research title as before, meaning the dependent variable is “student learning achievement” because the results of student achievement are considered to be influenced by the students’ reading interests.
In explaining the relationship between independent and dependent variables, there are three known terms, namely symmetrical, reciprocal, and asymmetrical relationships. Symmetrical relationships mean that a variable does not have an influence/is influenced by another variable.
Two variables in a symmetrical relationship have the same direction tendency. For example, there is a study entitled “the effect of diet on children’s height and weight”.
The symmetrical relationship of the variables in this study is in height and weight. Both are interrelated but do not influence each other. A reciprocal relationship means that a variable can be both a cause and an effect of another variable.
For example, the variable of education quality with the national economic level. Both variables have an influence on each other.
The higher the quality of education, the higher the economy of a country. The opposite also applies, if the economy of a country is high, the quality of education will be high too.
An asymmetric relationship is the opposite of a symmetric relationship, meaning that one variable has an influence on another variable. For example, as previously explained regarding the reading interest variable and the student learning achievement variable.
So, the differences between the two can be summarized in the following infographic.
Types of Research Variables Based on Nature
According to their nature, there are two types of research variables.
1. Dynamic Variables
As the name implies, this research variable means a type of variable that can change in nature—up/down to its characteristics. Examples of this variable are learning interest, student achievement, reading interest, employee performance, and so on.
2. Static Variables
In contrast to dynamic variables, static variables mean variables that are fixed and cannot be changed or under normal conditions the nature of the variable is difficult to change. Examples include gender, social status, regional origin, and so on.
Types of Research Variables Based on Urgency
The next type of variable is based on the urgency or importance of an instrument in collecting research data. The types of research variables are:
1. Conceptual Variables
Conceptual means that the variables in this type are hidden and not visible through existing facts. However, conceptual variables can be seen through existing indicators. Examples of conceptual variables are reading interest, learning motivation, talent,
2. Factual Variables
Factual variables are variables that can be seen through existing facts. Examples include ethnicity, age, gender, education, religion, and so on.
Given its factual nature, variable errors in this type are rare. If errors are eventually found, they are usually caused by dishonest respondents.
Types of Research Variables Based on Measuring Scale Type
There are also research variables based on measurement scales. Here are the explanations for each.
1. Nominal Variables
There are several names in referring to nominal variables such as categorical variables or discrete variables. Nominal variables mean variables that can only be grouped into several categories.
Because they can only be grouped into relatively few categories, nominal variables are the variables with the least variation. Examples of these variables are: gender, religion, ethnicity, and so on.
2. Continuum Variables
Continuous variables mean variables that have levels or stages. There are several other types of variables in continuous variables, namely: ordinal variables, interval variables, and ratio variables. Ordinal variables mean variables with certain levels or sequences, for example, ranking or score variables from a championship.
Meanwhile, interval variables are variables with a certain distance or scale. An example is the student assessment scale variable.
The third is the ratio variable, namely a variable that shows a comparison, for example the weight variable, such as the weight of two people, namely 40 and 80 kg, which means that the first person weighs half as much as the second person.