Smart Learning & Design

How to identify variables in your research topic

Perhaps after taking several statistics courses you still have problems identifying variables in your research topic. This is very simple. Here, I will show you how to identify variables in your research topic. Let’s delve into the topic!

First, what is a variable? A variable is any concept or item that can be measured and can assume a variety of values. For example, Attitude, Interest, motivation, age, gender, a teaching methodology/strategy etc. are all examples of variables because you can measure them and they can have different values.

The three variables you may likely have are: independent variable, dependent variable and moderating variable. Let’s examine them one by one.

Independent variable: This is a variable that is assumed to exact influence or affect the dependent variable; it usually represents the intervention that is being introduced, tested or observed. For instance, if our research topic is “Effects of Multimodal Computer Assisted Instruction Package (MCAIP) on Students’ Attitude and Academic Performance in Business Studies”, our independent variable (intervention) is “Multimodal Computer Assisted Instruction Package”. You asked me why? It is an independent variable because it is the variable that is presumed to affect the Attitude and Academic Performance of Business Studies Students. Hence, it is being tested.

Another variable you may have in your study is a dependent variable. This variable is acted upon by the independent variable. . Looking at our research topic again, what do you think are the dependent variables? Did you say “Attitude and Academic Performance”? Yes, you are correct! This is so because the outcomes or the results of the dependent variables which are Attitude and Academic performance ‘depend’ on the independent variable (MCAIP), which is the intervention that is being tested.

Lastly, the third variable you may have in your study is a moderating variable. A moderating variable is a variable that affects the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Take for instance, gender could be a moderating variable in our research topic. That is, being male or female can affect the direction of relationship between our Independent variable (MCAIP) and dependent variables (Attitude and Academic Performance). In other words, gender could be another factor that affects Attitude and Academic performance of Business Studies students. When you introduce this factor into your research, it is called a moderating variable. The presence of a moderating variable can change the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables.

I hope you can now identify variables in any research topics. To be sure, try the following activity.

Identify the independent, dependent and suggest probable moderating variables in the research topics below. Type your answers in the comment section. Also, don’t forget to like and follow our page.

1. Effects of Flip Learning strategy on interest, motivation and reading skill of English Language students.

2. Teachers’ factors as predictors of students’ learning outcomes in Mathematics.

3. Availability and utilisation of ICT facilities in the Teaching and Learning of Computer Science in Junior Secondary School.