Defining & measuring variables: Descriptive & Explanatory Variables
In research, variables are described by the utilization of two features. In that, a variable refers to a feature that defines an individual, location, thought or a thing. On the other hand, variables are bound to change based on the entity. Descriptive variables are referred to the variables that are described without being related to anything specific. On the other hand, an explanatory investigation variable can best be described as an independent variable. This, therefore, implies that when a variable presented is an independent one it cannot be altered by other variables. This implies that while the descriptive variables are focused on the study’s question the explanatory variables provides an explanation for changes that might impact the variables. In this case, explanatory variables are utilized to justify inconsistency and in research, such variables are usually influenced by researchers.
An example of an explanatory variable that can apply in regard to Walden City is to develop new training sessions on the belief that officers are faced with anxiety and pressure when handling crimes. Experimental designs are in this case developed to test the capability of the previous and the fresh sessions. Participants are selected in random where the pressure and nervousness rates are measured for both sessions. Another example is when an experiment is conducted amid two strategies that seek to control crimes such as street patrol and community policing effectiveness. Given that descriptive variables are utilized to offer data summary an example would be to establish the anxiety rate among police officers when dealing with crimes. Another example is that descriptive variables can be utilized to examine officer’s knowledge regard to the criminal investigation. These examples qualify as descriptive variables because they provide explanations to the existing situations.
References
Bachman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2017). The practice of research in criminology and criminal justice (6th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Brown, S. C., Geiselman, P. J., Copeland, A. L., Gordon, C., & Richard-Eaglin, A. (2008). Reliability and validity of the personal wellness profile (PWP) questionnaire in African-American college women. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 15(4), 163-167.
Dantzker, M. L., Hunter, R. D., & Quinn, S. T. (2016). Research methods for criminology and criminal justice.
