Charo Anne M.

Aguillon
Joji D. Daguio
Amor R. Lalisan
Joanna Marey F. Mondejar
Jennyvi H. Papellero
Jason P. Resma
HUMSS 1A1
 LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 3
PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
THE NATURE OF VARIABLES
Name: _____________________________________________ Section: ____________

I. LEARNING COMPETENCY
✓ Differentiates kinds of variables and their uses (CS_RS12-Ia-c-3)

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Describe independent, dependent, intervening, extraneous, and confounding variables in the
study.
2. Classify the variables of the study into nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio.
3. Design a research study by identifying the variables of the study.
INTRODUCTION

What can you do to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Do you wash your
hands frequently?

Today, the DOH (Department of Health) and IATF (Inter Agency Tasks Force)
advised the public to practice protective measures. Hence, handwashing is still
the best way to protect oneself against the virus. However, you observe that
there are those who still do not practice handwashing. As a researcher, you
want to conduct an experiment if placing posters could help the community be
more participative and responsive to the protocol set by the government even
without somebody to watch. You then start to think on how you would design
your research study.

II. KEY CONCEPTS COVID Health Protocol

https://bit.ly/3jMCLJZ`
What is variable?

The root word of the word variable is “vary” or simply “can change”. These variables are among the
fundamental concepts of research, alongside with measurement, validity, reliability, cause and effect; and
theory. Bernard (1994) defines a variable as something that can take more than one value, and values
can be words or numbers. A variable specifically refers to characteristics, or attribute of an individual or
an organization that can be measured or observed and that varies among the people or organization
being studied (Creswell, 2002).

Basic types

Basically, variables are of two types: Independent variables and dependent variables. Independent
variables are those that cause changes in the subject, while dependent variables are those are those
that bear or manifest the effects caused by the independent variables. Hence, the causal relationship, the
cause comes from the independent variables; the effects, on the independent variables. In an
experimental research, the independent variable as the condition or treatment applied to the experimental
group is under control, direction and manipulation of the researcher or the experimenter. For instance, to
determine the positive effects of Modular Distance Learning (MDL) on academic performance of the
students. In this case, the MDL is the independent variable while the academic performance is the
dependent variable.

Variable Relationships
In a scientific way of studying cause-effect relationships, these two variables, independent and dependent
are part and parcel of the research because the first one is the cause; while the second, the effect that you

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
can subject to any form of measurement. However, as you carry out the research, it is possible that one, two
or more variables or extra variables crop up to create an impact on the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables. Being extra, they form this other type of variables called extraneous
variables. For example, in the case of MDL (independent variable); the academic performance (as the
dependent variable), extraneous variables like age, gender, or personality traits suddenly surface to create
effects on the relationships of the two basic variables. In non-experimental research, researchers measure
variables as they naturally occur without any further manipulation

1. Independent Variables – Those that probably cause, influence, or affect outcomes. They are
invariably called treatment, manipulated, antecedent or predictor variables. This is the cause
Variable or the one responsible for the conditions that act on something else to bring about
changes.
Example: A study is on determining the significant difference on the ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE of ASNHS senior high school students when grouped according to their
STUDY HABITS. Study habits is the independent variable because it influenced the
outcome or the performance of the students.
2. Dependent Variables – those that depend on the independent variables; they are the outcomes
or results of the influence of the independent variable. That is why it is also called outcome variable.
Example: A study is on the significant difference on the academic performance of ASNHS
senior high school students. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE is the dependent variable
because it is depending on the study habits of the students; if the students change their
study habit the academic performance also change.
3. Intervening or mediating variables stand between the independent and dependent variable and
show the effects of the independent variable on dependent variables.
4. Extraneous/ Control Variables are the factors that are kept constant throughout the experiment
to ensure fair test.
Example: In a comparative study conducted to determine the academic performance of the
students when grouped according to their study habits, some variables like sex, age, year
level, socio-economic status are to be controlled or be kept the same for both groups.
5. Confounding Variables are variables that are not actually measured or observed in a study. They
exist but their influence cannot be directly detected in a study. Researchers comment on the
influence of confounding variables after the study has been completed, because these variables
may have operated to explain the relationship between the independent variables and dependent
variable, but they were not or could not be easily assessed.
The variables can also be classified according to their nature. The diagram below shows the different
classifications:
I. Quantitative Variables, also called numerical variables are the type of variables used in quantitative
research because they are numeric and can be measured. Under this category are discrete and
continuous variables.
A. Discrete variables are countable whole numbers. It does not take negative values or values
between fixed points. For example: number of students in a class, group size and frequency.
B. Continuous variables take fractional (non-whole number) values that can either be a positive or
a negative. Example: height, temperature.

Numerical data have two levels of measurement, namely:

A. Interval are quantitative variables where the interval or differences between consecutive
values are equal and meaningful but the numbers are arbitrary. For example, the difference
between 36 degrees and 37 degrees is the same as between 100 degrees and 101 degrees. The
zero point does not suggest the absence of a property being measured. Temperature at 0 degree
Celsius is assigned as the melting point of ice. Other examples of interval data would be year and
IQ score.

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
 B. Ratio type of data is similar to interval, the only difference is the presence of a true zero value.
The zero point in this scale indicates the absence of the quantity being measured. Examples are
age, height, weight and distance.

II. Qualitative Variables are also referred to as Categorical Variables are not expressed in numbers but are
descriptions or categories. It can be further divided into nominal, ordinal or dichotomous.

C. Dichotomous are consisting of only two distinct categories or values. For example, a response
to a question either be a yes or no.

D. Nominal variable simply defines groups of subjects. Here you may have more than 2 categories
of equivalent magnitude. For example, a basketball player’s number is used to distinguish him
from other players. It certainly does not follow that player 10 is better than player 8. Other
examples are blood type, hair color and mode of transportation.

E. Ordinal variable, from the name itself denotes that a variable is ranked in a certain order. This
variable can have a qualitative or quantitative attribute. For example, a survey questionnaire may
have a numerical rating as choices like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5ranked accordingly (5=highest, 1=lowest)
or categorical rating like strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. Other
examples or ordinal variable: cancer stage (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III), Spotify Top 20 hits,
academic honors (with highest, with high, with honors).

CONTI

Figure 2. Classification of Variables

III. GUIDED PRACTICES

GUIDED PRACTICE 1 I A RESEARCH DESIGNER!

Design an experiment by identifying the variables of the following research problems below. Write
your answer under the right column. The first one is done for you.

NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Research Title Independent Dependent Intervening

variables Variables Variable
1. Influence of Management Style Management Employment Sex, Age
on Employment Satisfaction Style Satisfaction
2. Conduct of Guidance Counseling
Programs and Degree of
Absenteeism and Drop-Out Rate
among Grade 12 Students

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
 3. Work Accomplishments of
Teaching on Work-From-Home
Status
4. Relationship between
Collaboration and the Students’
Communicative Competence

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Research Queue Independent Dependent Extraneous/ Confounding
variables Variables Controlled variable
variable
1. Three groups of Room Math Exam Duration of Temperature
students were placed in a Temperature Scores Exposure tolerance
classroom with controlled
room temperatures of No. of Test Items
18°C, 20°C, 25°C. The
math exam scores of the
students were then taken
and compared to the other
groups
2. A housewife wanted to
know which soil is best for Type of soil Plant Growth daily Temperature
her pechay plants: the soil maintenance
purchased from an online
seller, soil from her
backyard compost or the
soil underneath the nearby
bamboo tree. She planted
30 pechay seeds into each
soil source and then
compared the growth of
pechay after a month
3. A teacher wanted to Learning Submission No. of Tasks Gadget/Resources
know which learning delivery of
delivery modes (pure modality Accomplished
online, pure modular, Activities
combination of online and
modular) is most effective
and has the fastest
turnaround time in the
submission of
accomplished activities
among her Grade 12
students. She divided the
students into 3 groups,
gave them the same
activity sheets and asked
them to submit as soon as
it is completed. She then
compared the scores and
completion time of the 3
groups.

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
 GUIDED PRACTICE 2 CLASSIFYING VARIABLES
Direction: Identify the following variable as either qualitative or quantitative. Then classify which specific
category they belong.

Data (Qualitative/Quantitative) Classification

(Discrete, continuous,
(interval, ratio, nominal,
dichotomous, ordinal)
Ex. Number of eggs laid by chickens Quantitative Discrete, interval
1. Amount of fertilizer given to plants
2. Weight of Pechay harvested (in grams)
3. Speed of car
4. Tomato plant variety
5. Color of alcohol packaging (blue, orange,
white, pink)
6. Educational level of parents (high school
grad, college grad, MS, PhD)
7. Online seller satisfaction rating (1-5 stars)
8. Cellphone brand
9. Number of Covid-19 positive cases
10. Type of music
11. Number of passengers in a PUJ
12. Socio-economic status
13. Gender
14. Temperature in Fahrenheit
15. Civil Status

IV. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

Direction: Identify the Independent, Dependent and Extraneous variable/s in each of the following
situations. (Experimental Research)

1. Three groups of students were placed in a classroom with controlled room temperatures of 18°C,
20°C, 25°C. The math exam scores of the students were then taken and compared to the other
groups.
a. Independent Variable: ____________________________________________________
b. Dependent Variable: _____________________________________________________
c. Extraneous Variable: _____________________________________________________
d. Confounding Variable (If any) __________________________________________________
2. A teacher wanted to know which learning delivery modes (pure online, pure modular, combination of
online and modular) is most effective and has the fastest turnaround time in the submission of
accomplished activities among her Grade 12 students. She divided the students into 3 groups, gave them
the same activity sheets and asked them to submit as soon as it is completed. She then compared the
scores and completion time of the 3 groups.
a. Independent Variable: _______________________________________________________
b. Dependent Variable: ________________________________________________________
c. Extraneous Variable: ________________________________________________________
d. Confounding Variable: (If any) _________________________________________________

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
V. APPLICATION

BE A RESEARCH DESIGNER
Direction: Design a study by Identifying the variables on increasing the number of hand washers
when a poster is placed at the public handwashing area with CCTV. This is to determine how serious
are the residents in the community to wash their hands even without being monitored. Give the
independent variable, dependent variable, extraneous variable, and confounding variable (if any).
Write your answer at the box.

Independent Variable

VI. ASSESSMENT
I-Multiple Choice. Read each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. What is the dependent variable of the research question “To what extent does texting
decrease the student’s grammatical competence’?
A. Texting
B. Grammatical Competence
C. Texting and grammatical competence
D. Student’s Age
2. Which of the following is TRUE about independent variables to ensure a “fair test”?
A. Conduct many independent variables at a time
B. Conduct two independent variables at a time
C. Conduct one independent variable at a time
D. Conduct two different independent variables at a time.
3. A researcher wants to find out how long it takes for parachutes made of different
materials to fall on the ground. He made parachutes of the same sizes and dropped them
from different heights. If you were the researcher, how are you going to design the
experiment to ensure fair test?
A. Make the same sizes of parachutes; each has same materials and drop them at the same heights.
B. Make different sizes of parachutes; each has different materials and drop them at the same heights.
C. Make different sizes of parachutes; each has different materials and drop them at the different heights.
D. Make the same sizes of parachutes; each has different materials and drop them at the same heights.
4. You use different type of weed killers on my lawn to see which one kills the most
weeds. What is the dependent variable?
A. Number of weeds killed
B. Types of weed killers
C. Most weeds
D. Types of weeds
5. In a study about headaches, doctors gave patterns Alieve, Tylenol, Advil, and Excedrin,
to see which medication would relieve the headache pain the fastest. The doctors timed
how long it took the medication to work. What is the independent variable?
A. Headaches
B. Amount of medication
C. Types of pain reliever
D. Amount of time until was relieved

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph
VII. ANSWER KEY

Criteria Task Points

Guided Practice 35 points
Performance Task Independent Practice 10 points
Performance Task Application 10 points
Written Output Assessment 5 points

Note: Please use the rubrics found in LAS 1 and LAS 2

VIII. REFERENCES
Baraceros. 2016. Practical Research 2. Rex Book Store, Inc.
Department of Education (2020). Alternative Delivery Mode. Practical Research 2. Module 1. Nature and
Inquiry of Research
Faltado, R.E, Bombita, M. B, Boholano, H., Pogoy, A.M. 2016. Practical Research 2 Quantitative Research
for Senior High School. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.
Melegrito, M.F., Mendoza, D.J. 2016. Applied Research: An Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
and Report Writing. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
Prieto, Naval, Carey. 2017. Practical Research 2 for Senior High School. Quezon City, Metro Manila:
Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

Developed by: Jennyvi H. Papellero

School/Station: Agusan Del Sur National High School Division: Agusan Del Sur
Email address: jennyvi.papellero001@deped.gov.ph