12/30/2012 Variables Prepared by: Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw - - PDF document

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Variables

Prepared by: Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw Liberty University

Types of Variables

• treatment or intervention variable, measured and manipulated

Independent variable

• response variable, observed aspect of the behavior of an organism that has

been stimulated.

Dependent variable

• correlation

Variables of interest

• A variable in a situation that cannot be studies at the same time; must be

neutralized (e.g. gender, class level); neutralize to ensure that it does not have a moderating effect.

Control Variable

Types of Variables

 Identify the independent ,dependent, and control variable.

Identify the measurement.

1.

There will be a statistically significant increase in tolerance scores as measured by the Tolerance in Diversity Scale among freshmen college students who d f k d d are presented a program of skits and discussion on diversity in their English 101 classes as opposed to freshmen college students who are not given the program.

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Types of Variables

2.

There will be a statistically significant difference in graduation rates of at-risk high-school seniors who participate in an intensive study program as opposed to at-risk high-school seniors who do not participate in the intensive study program.

Types of Variables

3.

Male veterans seen for depressive symptoms at an

• utpatient clinic of the

Veteran’s Administration (V.A.) and prescribed Prozac have statistically significant lower scores on the Beck Depression Scale than male veterans seen for depressive symptoms at an outpatient VA clinic who do not receive Prozac V.A. clinic who do not receive Prozac.

Taken from: LaFountain & Bartos

Identify and Label the Variable

Variable Research Question (and/or hypothesis) Operational Definition (include survey and specific items on the survey where applicable) & Citation Dependent Variable 1: External Is there difference in the second grade students’ attitudes toward math as measured by the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory who participate in the Math 2.0 program as

• pposed to second grade students

who participate in a traditional math class? H01: There is no difference in second grade students’ external attitudes toward math as measured by the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory who participate in the Math 2.0 program as opposed to second grade students who participate in a traditional math class.

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Define

 A narrative definition  An operational definition- is a clear, concise definition of

how a variable is being measured or the observable condition (LaFountian & Bartos, 2002).

Identify and Label the Variable

Variable Research Question (and/or hypothesis) Operational Definition (include survey and specific items on the survey where applicable) & Citation Dependent Variable 1: Extrinsic Motivation Is the difference in the second grade students’ attitudes toward math as measured by the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory who participate in the Math 2.0 program as Extrinsic motivation refers to the desire to engage in an activity because it leads to an unrelated outcome (Deci, 1972; Spaulding, 1992).

• pposed to second grade students

who participate in a traditional math class? H01: There is no difference in second grade students’ external attitudes toward math as measured by the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory who participate in the Math 2.0 program as opposed to second grade students who participate in a traditional math class. The Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory ((Tapia & Marsh, 2004; external); Questions 3,5,7,11

Application

Label, Define, and Identify Your Variables.