Variables

Question 1

Who are you studying or who you are gathering data about (e.g., individuals, families, social artifacts)?

Answer 1

Unit of Analysis

Question 2

A variable that is used to control for differences b/c it can distort the impact of the indep (X) variable on the dependent variable (Y)

e.g., Hypothesis: Women are paid less than men.

To hold constant the position the participants hold (e.g., secretary or manager), one could simply compare men/women who are secretaries and then compare men/women who are managers. This is an easy way to control for position.

Answer 2

Control Variable

Question 3

Variable that acts to change the dependent variable. The variable that is manipulated.

“X impacts Y” /
Hours exercised per week impacts heart health.

X= Hours Exercised

Answer 3

X= Independent Variable

Question 4

A collapsed ratio level of measurement. 
e.g., How far do you commute to school? 
0 - 5 miles; 
6 - 10 miles; 
11 - 15 miles; 
more than 15 miles 
Please note that the responses are mutually exclusive: there is NO overlap in responses (e.g., this response overlaps: 0-5; 5-10)

Answer 4

Interval

Question 5

A collection of questions/statements to solicit information (for analysis)
This is the most common way social workers do research: ask people questions.

Answer 5

Questionnaire

Question 6

Alternate explanations for relationships between indep (X) and dependent variable (Y)

e.g., Hypothesis: Sex impacts pay.
If one does NOT control for whether an employee is willing to relocate or not may influence pay in an unknown way.

Answer 6

Spurious Variable

Question 7

The level of measurement where one does not know where the interval begins & ends. Where does “disagree” end and “neutral” begin?
e.g., I like my Social Work Research class: Disagree—-Neutral—-Agree.

Answer 7

Ordinal/Rank order

Question 8

A type of questionnaire where questions are written down and given to respondents to complete.

Answer 8

Self-administered questionnaire

Question 9

The most accurate level of measurement. One can count, add, subtract, multiply and divide these.

e.g., How far do you commute to school? 2 miles is a ___________level of measurement.

Answer 9

Ratio

Question 10

_____ are used when variables are too complex or multifaceted to be measured with just 1 item (e.g., depression).

A type of measure made-up of more than 1 question. When taken together these questions measure 1 variable.

Answer 10

Scale

Question 11

Name the four level of measurements.

Answer 11

Ratio, Interval, Rank, Nominal

Question 12

The level of measurement that uses names. e.g., marital status, yes/no items, religion

Answer 12

Nominal

Question 13

How we measure variables. Variables translated into way that is observable/testable.

Answer 13

To operationalize.

Question 14

Likert scaling is what level of measurement?
e.g., I like ice cream.
Stongly Agree—Agree—Disagree—Strongly Disagree

Answer 14

Ordinal

Question 15

A type of questionnaire where questions are asked by an interviewer.

Answer 15

Interview Schedule

Question 16

Variable that changes as result of manipulation.
“X impacts Y”
Hypothesis: Hours exercised per week impacts heart health. Y= ______(Heart Health)

Answer 16

Dependent Variable (Y)