Research Vocabulary

#201

variable

Example sentences

1. Age was one variable included in the analysis.
2. The report gives a clear definition for every variable.
3. A variable can have different values for different participants.

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#202

independent variable

Example sentences

1. The independent variable was the type of teaching method.
2. The researchers changed the independent variable between the two groups.
3. The study tested whether the independent variable affected test scores.

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#203

dependent variable

Example sentences

1. The dependent variable was the students' final test score.
2. The team measured the dependent variable after the program ended.
3. A dependent variable may change because of the independent variable.

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#204

predictor variable

Example sentences

1. Age was used as a predictor variable for recovery time.
2. The model included income as a predictor variable.
3. A strong predictor variable can improve the model's predictions.

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#205

outcome variable

Example sentences

1. The main outcome variable was recovery after 30 days.
2. The researchers measured the outcome variable in both groups.
3. The report clearly defines each outcome variable.

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#206

exposure variable

Example sentences

1. Smoking status was the main exposure variable.
2. The team recorded the exposure variable before measuring the outcome.
3. An exposure variable may be linked to later health changes.

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#207

control variable

Example sentences

1. The model included age as a control variable.
2. A control variable helps the analyst separate other possible effects.
3. The researchers kept the control variable the same across groups.

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#208

confounding variable

Example sentences

1. Income was a confounding variable because it was linked to diet and health.
2. The analysis adjusted for each important confounding variable.
3. A confounding variable can create a misleading relationship.

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#209

mediator

Example sentences

1. Confidence acted as a mediator between training and job performance.
2. The mediator helped explain how the program produced its effect.
3. The analysis tested whether stress was a mediator.

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#210

moderator

Example sentences

1. Age was a moderator because the program worked better for younger adults.
2. A moderator changes the strength or direction of a relationship.
3. The researchers tested gender as a possible moderator.

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#211

covariate

Example sentences

1. The model included the baseline score as a covariate.
2. Adding a covariate can improve the accuracy of an analysis.
3. The report explains why each covariate was selected.

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#212

latent variable

Example sentences

1. Anxiety was treated as a latent variable measured through several questions.
2. A latent variable cannot be observed directly.
3. The model estimated the latent variable from the observed answers.

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#213

observed variable

Example sentences

1. Height was an observed variable measured directly by the team.
2. Each observed variable appeared as a column in the dataset.
3. The analyst checked the observed variable for missing values.

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#214

categorical variable

Example sentences

1. Blood type is a categorical variable with several groups.
2. The analyst coded the categorical variable before the analysis.
3. A categorical variable places each case into a category.

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#215

nominal variable

Example sentences

1. City of residence was a nominal variable in the survey.
2. A nominal variable has categories with no natural order.
3. The analyst used numbers only as labels for the nominal variable.

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#216

ordinal variable

Example sentences

1. Satisfaction was an ordinal variable with low, medium, and high levels.
2. An ordinal variable has categories with a clear order.
3. The distance between levels of an ordinal variable may not be equal.

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#217

dichotomous variable

Example sentences

1. Employment status was a dichotomous variable with yes and no answers.
2. A dichotomous variable has only two possible categories.
3. The analyst coded the dichotomous variable as zero and one.

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#218

continuous variable

Example sentences

1. Height was recorded as a continuous variable.
2. A continuous variable can take many values within a range.
3. The graph shows the distribution of the continuous variable.

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#219

discrete variable

Example sentences

1. Number of clinic visits was a discrete variable.
2. A discrete variable usually uses separate whole-number values.
3. The analyst counted each value of the discrete variable.

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#220

interval scale

Example sentences

1. Temperature in Celsius is commonly measured on an interval scale.
2. An interval scale has equal spaces between values.
3. The analyst used an interval scale but could not describe a true zero.

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