Respond to Vincent’s post below:A variable is often used in mathematics and statistics when comparing data using charts. The simple definition of a variable is anything that is measurable and that can be counted (Statistical Language – What Are Variables?). The variables that are seen in statistics are very similar to the ones used in a research study. The two types of variables typically seen in both situations are independent variables and dependent variables. When used in statistical experiments, the independent variable is described as the cause and the dependent variable is the effect (Bhandari, 2022). A simple example of this would be if someone was looking at the amount of time someone practices playing a sport and how that would impact their overall performance. The independent variable, which in this case would be the cause, is the amount of time spent practicing a sport. The dependent variable or the effect, is that individual players performance.Now, when variables are used in research it is very similar to a statistical experiment. Although there are many more variables to consider in a research study such as, potential mediating variables, potential confounding variables, effect modifiers, and variables describing study participants (Duckett, 2021), independent and dependent variables are still included. Duckett explains that dependent variables are ones that must be defined conceptually and are all the outcomes of the study (2021). Essentially, this is the same thing as the effect or dependent variable in a statistical experiment. The independent variable is described as the experimental intervention (Duckett, 2021). This is the causative factor in the research question and what is going to be the main topic of discussion. To better explain it the independent variable is the one that can be manipulated and the dependent variable is the result from making those changes (Kravitz, 2016). The research question for the study I am proposing is, in patients suffering from mental health disorders, how does implementing the Broset Violence Checklist and having early psychiatric intervention compared to not having these interventions, affect patient aggression towards staff, within the hospital admission. The independent variables are implementing the Broset Violence Checklist and having early psychiatric consultations, and the dependent variable is patient aggression.
References:Bhandari, P. (2022, May 4). Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Definition