¿QUÉ SON LAS VARIABLES DE INVESTIGACIÓN?

Summary

This video discusses the crucial role of variables in research, explaining their characteristics, types, and functions. It highlights the importance of understanding variables, whether qualitative or quantitative, in order to effectively conduct studies. The script outlines different variable categories, such as independent, dependent, intervening, and strange variables, emphasizing how they shape research outcomes. Additionally, the video explores the various scales used to measure these variables, like nominal, ordinal, and continuous. It provides an insightful overview of how to identify, categorize, and apply variables in a thesis, ensuring a comprehensive approach to research design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding variables is essential in research, as they define the problem to be investigated.
• 😀 Variables have key characteristics such as quality, magnitude, and quantity, which can be manipulated or controlled.
• 😀 There are two main types of variables: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative variables are measured through non-numerical data, while quantitative variables are numerical.
• 😀 Quantitative variables are further divided into discrete (e.g., number of students) and continuous (e.g., weight or height) types.
• 😀 Variables must be measurable, and the scale used to measure them can be nominal, ordinal, or interval-based, depending on the research design.
• 😀 Research variables can be classified by their function in the study, such as independent, dependent, intervening, and strange variables.
• 😀 Independent variables are not manipulated by the researcher and do not change, while dependent variables rely on the independent variable and reflect changes.
• 😀 Intervening variables influence the relationship between independent and dependent variables and help in completing the research.
• 😀 Strange variables appear unexpectedly in the research process but are not central to the study. They are not measured but may influence the research in certain ways.
• 😀 It is crucial to choose the appropriate type of variable for a specific research context, whether qualitative or quantitative, and according to its role in a cause-effect relationship.
• 😀 Researchers must be able to identify their variables and apply suitable scales of measurement, ensuring the study is properly framed and that the variables contribute effectively to the investigation.

Q & A

What is a variable in research?

A variable in research is a characteristic or phenomenon that can be measured and analyzed. It could be something like age, weight, temperature, or price. Variables form the basis of any research, as they define what is being studied and help guide the research process.

Why are variables important in research?

Variables are important because they give structure to the research by defining what will be measured. Without variables, there would be nothing to investigate or analyze. They help to shape the research questions and provide data for analysis.

What are the characteristics of a variable?

The main characteristics of a variable include quality, magnitude, and the ability to be manipulated. A variable can be of a certain type (quality), have a measurable amount (magnitude), and can be controlled or adjusted in experiments.

What are the two main types of variables?

The two main types of variables are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative variables describe categories or qualities, while quantitative variables represent numerical data.

What is the difference between discrete and continuous variables?

Discrete variables are countable and represent distinct quantities, such as the number of students. Continuous variables are measurable and can take any value within a range, such as height or weight.

What are the different scales used to measure variables?

Variables can be measured using different scales, including nominal, ordinal, and interval scales. Nominal scales classify variables into categories, ordinal scales rank them in order, and interval scales measure the distance between values with meaningful intervals.

What is the role of independent and dependent variables in research?

The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher to examine its effect on the dependent variable, which is observed and measured to see how it changes in response. The dependent variable depends on the changes made to the independent variable.

What is an intervening variable?

An intervening variable is a factor that influences the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. While not the focus of the research, it can affect the outcome and needs to be considered to understand the full dynamics of the study.

What are strange variables and why are they considered in research?

Strange variables are factors that appear unexpectedly in the research and are not the focus of the study. Though they are not directly studied, they can influence the research process and should be acknowledged to understand the broader context.

How do researchers determine which variables to include in their study?

Researchers determine which variables to include based on the focus of their investigation, the research method, and the goal of their study. The variables should align with the research question and be measurable. Advisors or methodologists can also suggest changes if a variable does not fit the research objectives.