Methods/Variable Table

Methods / Variable Table

In order to conduct research, investigators should first understand what exactly needs to be documented, analyzed and/or measured.

In most cases this is done by identifying the key issues or variables that are central to the subject under inquiry.

Methods / Variable Table

The aim of this exercise is to identify the issues or variables, and determine the methods for data collection and analysis which will be used to gather and process information.

Methods / Variable TableIn this exercise you will:

Identify key variables / issuesIdentify specific variables or issues related to key variablesIdentify type of data to be collected and analyzedIdentify methods of data collection and analysis.

Elements in the table

Main Variables

Specific Variables

Data

Tools

Methods

Write in this column yourtwo main variables

Write in this columnthe specific variablesrelated to your mainvariables. This is the detail of the variables.

Name in this column the method that is best suited for the collection of the correspondingdata set.

Write in this column the specific data that you will collect to describe the corresponding variable.

Name in this columnthe tools that you willuse to collect the data

Identifying the Key Variables

In positive research the investigator looks for existing or potential relationships between two variables. For example, a research project interested in school performance will look for the factors determining success or failure. These factors are variables in the research, just as school performance itself.

The main variable is likely to be key to understand the social phenomenon or issue studied. What follows is an example:

Identifying the Key Variables

Main Independent

The main variable or issue likely to be key to understand the social phenomenon or issue studied

Dependent

The main variable or issue constitutive of the social phenomenon being studied

Identifying the Key VariablesCould you tell in these examples if the selected variable is dependent (D) or independent (I)?

For example in example “1” you ask yourself: is the running car engine the reason why there is gasoline or it is because there is gasoline that the engine is running. The engine depends on gas and not vice-versa.

D I1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Gasoline in a running car engine 2. Medicine in the process of healing3. Time in the process of wine aging4. Flavor in the process of wine aging5. Health in the process of healing6. Speed in the fall of an object

Identifying the Key Variables

The response usually indicates which factor is the one determining the other under given circumstances.

D I1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Gasoline in a running car engine 2. Medicine in the process of healing3. Time in the process of wine aging4. Flavor in the process of wine aging5. Health in the process of healing6. Speed in the fall of an object

Key Variables (An Example)

Main Independent

Support resources and services

Dependent

High rate of student attrition at a university

Research Problem: What are the main reasons for student attrition?

Start with your research problem. Highlight variables.

This variable is the oneaffecting, conditioning.

This is the one modified or caused.

Key Variables (An Example)

Main Independent Dependent

Now try your own research problem:

Start with your research problem. Highlight variables.

Identify the variable affecting, conditioning.

Identify the variable modified or caused.

The Specific Variables

Once you have identified the main variables and their inter-relationship, list the specific variables related to each one.

Dependent Student AttritionIndependent Support Services

One way of identifying specific variables is to ask yourself: what do I need to know to describe the variable?

The Specific Variables

In this research example, the researcher is looking for the relationship between student attrition and support services:

Dependent

Independent

High rate of student attrition. How is the rate defined? What are the components of the measurement?

Support Services. What are the different type of support services? How are they defined in relationship to student retention?

The Specific Variables

(Dependent Variable)

High rate of student attrition at a university

Specific variables “What is going on?”

Questions that will lead to identify the specific variables:

What is “Attrition”?What are the different aspects

determining attrition?How can attrition be

measured?What are the different groups

affected by this variable?

The Specific VariablesAttrition: Percentage of students

transferring at the end of an academic period

Percentage of students transferring at the end of an academic period

Percentage of students taking fewer units per academic period

Group by Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Income Level,

Academic Background, Parent Education Level

(Dependent Variable)

High rate of student attrition at a university

Specific variables “What is going on?”

The Specific Variables

(Independent Variable)

Support Resources and Services

Specific variables What makes it happening?

Weak Academic Programs

Quality of Housing

Quality of Campus Life

Quality and availability of services, support

Quality and availability of Funding, Employment

. . . (Other)

The Specific Variables

Percentage of students transferring at the end of an academic period. . .

Academic Programs

. . .

Specific Variables

Main Variables

Student Services

Student Attrition

The main variables will be related to a number of specific variables. In this examples one of the specific variables related to student services is academic programs. On the other hand student attrition can be related to percentage of students transferring to other universities at the end of a given academic academic period.

The Specific VariablesResearch ProblemHypothesis

Main Variables

IndependentSupport

DependentAttrition

Data to beCollected

Methods For DataCollection

Methods For DataAnalysis

ToolsPercentage of students transferring at the end of an academic period. . .

Weak Academic Programs

. . .

MethodsDataVariables Tools

Data Sets

Once you have identified the specific variables you will identify, for each variable, the sets of data that need to be collected and analyzed.

Collection

Analysis

Program Description. Program Goals, Program Criteria. Program Performance. Program evaluation

Compared to other programs, Clarity of goals, Evaluation based on its own criteria and independent criteria . . .

Example variable: [Weak] Academic Programs

Data SetsResearch ProblemHypothesis

Main Variables

IndependentSupport

DependentAttrition

Methods For DataCollection

Methods For DataAnalysis

Tools

Weak Academic Programs

. . .

Program Description

Program Goals

Compon-ents.

Criteria for measuremt. results

MethodsDataVariables Tools

Methods

Once you have identified the specific sets of data you will collect and analyze it is possible to determine the most appropriate method.

Collection

Analysis

Program DescriptionProgram Performance

Compared to other programs.

Evaluation.

Example variable: [Weak] Academic Programs

Archival Research

Interview / Survey

Content Analysis / Stat.Correlation

Statistical Analysis

Research Problem

Hypothesis

Main Variables

IndependentSupport

DependentAttrition

Methods

Weak Academic Programs

. . .

Program Description

Program Goals

Archival Research

Statistical Analysis

MethodsDataVariables Tools Index

Cards

SPSS

Methods Narrative

The completed table will be comprised of many elements, as many as variables you see related to your project.

The table will enable you to write a specific timeline of actions to complete your research

The methods section is a narrative explaining the table.

Methods Narrative

Methods Section Sample Paragraphs.

This section describes the steps and tools that I will be using in this project to gather information necessary to address my main hypothesis . . .

One of the main variables involved in determining the levels of attrition in colleges and universities that I will consider in this work is the presence and quality of the support programs.

To obtain data I will first rely on archival research, that is on the revision of material, published and technical records available related to the research . . .

Armando A. Arias, Jr., Ph.D.

Professor & Founding Faculty