QUANTITATIVE VARIABLE: EXAMPLES, TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS - SCIENCE - 2025

The quantitative variable is one formed by numbers, percentages or counts. For example: scores in school (it can be from 1 the minimum score to 10, the maximum), number of relatives (1,2,3,4,5,6…), number of trees in a forest (1000, 5000, 1 million), red blood cell count, bank account balance…

The quantitative variable is a mathematical term that relies primarily on a numerical quantity before any other type of argument when conducting an investigation. This variable is used mainly at the time of evaluating research statistics and in the development of methodological projects.

Take the example of an investigation; We want to investigate how the peso (quantitative independent variable) influences the amount of money saved (quantitative dependent variable).

On the contrary, variables that describe something or indicate a quality are qualitative. For example hair color, ethnicity or nationality.

Unlike qualitative variables, a quantitative variable does not express any type of attribute of a product. Instead, it focuses only on the numerical value that is being studied. It is also common to use quantitative variables in algebra.

This variable includes all numerical values, such as counts, percentages, and numbers. As a general rule of thumb to define whether a variable is quantitative or not, you can try adding an additional number to a value. If more numbers can be added to a value, it is a quantitative variable; if it is not possible to add them, it is qualitative or categorical.

characteristics

Analysis function

A quantitative variable is an indispensable tool to analyze the data obtained in a statistical investigation or in an algebraic problem. The quantitative value expresses how much there is of a product, person or general value within the framework of an investigation.

Unlike qualitative values, quantitative variables do not refer to names or give a specific identity to a figure. They are used only in the numerical scope as a measure of value assignment.

Explanatory function

Quantitative variables serve to explain the specific characteristics of a study group. That is, if a study of a company is carried out, the quantitative variable is the one that serves to determine what is the average age of all the people studied, or what is the average height of the entire group.

In short, a quantitative variable represents a numerical value characteristic of the group or individual being studied.

Types

Discrete quantitative variable

A variable that is only capable of having a finite number of values ​​is defined as a discrete variable. While most of the discrete variables are qualitative (given the limited nature of the qualitative element), there are also discrete quantitative values.

For example, certain values, such as the average score obtained on an exam, are considered discrete variables. The reason for this is that the score values ​​are finite. In many cultures, a student is assessed with points from 1 to 10.

In a study of the scores obtained in a classroom, this range of values ​​is the discrete quantitative value. Any type of study value that cannot be divided into infinite decimals but that represents a quantitative variable is considered a discrete quantitative variable.

Continuous quantitative variable

A continuous variable is one that can have an infinite number of values. It doesn't necessarily have to have all values ​​(that is, from -infinity to infinity), but it is capable of having any value within this range.

A continuous quantitative variable can have any value between two numbers. For example, in a population study where the average height of people is to be measured, the data can give any value from 0 to 4 meters.

That 0 to 4 range includes an infinite number of values, if viewed from a decimal point of view. That is, a continuous quantitative variable can be 0.001, 0.000001, 0.0002, and so on.

In general, almost all quantitative variables are usually continuous variables, but there are certain exceptions that do not allow them to be. This occurs particularly when the value cannot be divided into decimals.

Examples of quantitative variables

- The number of members of a family (1 person, 2 people, 6 people).

- Likewise, the number of chickens in a shed (2,500, 3,000 or 5,000 chickens).

- The value of an object ($ 100, $ 200, $ 300).

- On the other hand, the height of a person (1.67 cm; 1.70 cm, 1.56 cm).

- The weight or mass of a body (5 kg; 10 kg; 15 kg)

- The number of rounds in a fight (1 round, 2 rounds, 3 rounds).

- The speed that a vehicle reaches within a period of time (20 km / h, 40 km / h, 60 km / h).

- The size of a screen (15 ”, 32”, 42 ”).

- The degrees or volume of alcohol in a drink (13.5%, 20%, 40%).

- Examples in real investigations

Most of the research carried out in the world presents quantitative variables. This makes it possible to determine with specificity certain characteristics of what is being investigated. It is common to find quantitative variables in scientific research and market price research.

Questionnaire investigations

One of the most common methods used by companies worldwide is the questionnaire method, which consists of creating a questionnaire and giving each answer a numerical value. This questionnaire is sent by email or digitally to a large number of clients.

The answers obtained are collected to create a database of information according to each question. That is, when a company wants to know how its customers perceive their personal attention, they create a question in the questionnaire asking them to assign a value from 1 to 10.

For example, in this research on the effects of music on people suffering from chronic pain, all the results were obtained through questionnaires. That is, all the responses of the study subjects are quantitative values.

All the responses obtained are averaged to obtain a quantitative variable that represents the totality of responses obtained through the questionnaires.

Correlational research

A correlational investigation is an investigative method that serves to determine the impact that one entity has on another. In many cases, a company can conduct such an investigation to determine the relationship between one internal department and another.

This generates a certain value in the form of a quantitative variable, which represents the effect that one department has on the other.

This result allows the company to determine which department is working most effectively and whether it is getting the most out of the staff in each entity.

In this correlational research, where the objective is the psychological study of knowledge and contingency assessment, the quantitative value of N = 1,161 is used to define the total value of the two methods used in the research.

Experimental research

Experimental investigations are usually based entirely on a theoretical concept. They are usually scientific investigations and serve the purpose of testing a certain theory.

For example, in this investigation about the range of resonators coupled to their source magnetically to transfer energy without using wires, a quantitative variable is used for the investigation. In this case it is the coefficient of determination, which is 0.9875.

The analysis that is carried out in this type of research must generate enough data for the theory or assumption to be approved or rejected. In many cases, these investigations represent any experiment, in which a scientist manipulates one variable and controls or leaves the rest to chance.

These experiments are usually carried out in controlled environments, and when subjects are involved, the scientist deals with one group at a time. The groups are randomly assigned and the results obtained are recorded quantitatively.

For the results to be completely desired, it is important to be clear about the variables to be investigated and what type of results are to be obtained. In this way, experimental research can be carried out in such a way that the desired objective is met.

References

1. Variable Types, State University of New York at Oswego, (nd). Taken from oswego.edu
2. Qualitative versus Quantitative, Southern University of Louisiana, (nd). Taken from southeastern.edu
3. Statistics, TA Williams, DR Anderson and DJ Sweeney for Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018. Taken from Britannica.com
4. Quantitative Variable, Stat Trek, (nd). Taken from stattrek.com
5. Quantitative Variables (Numeric Variables) in Statistics, Statistic How To, 2013. Taken from statisticshowto.com