Family Medicine and Community Health I

Semester
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION/ OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

ARNEL SYQUIA, MD | 02 10 2018

the dependent variable, the latter is the
VARIABLE IDENTIFICATION independent variable while age and se can be
cofounders
• It is important that the data used in the study are
operationalized in measurable terms. CLARIFYING VARIABLES
• There are two data types that researchers collect –
• Once the variables have been selected each of these
variables and concepts.
should be clarified by:

• Defining the variables
VARIABLE
• Specifying their scale of measurement
• A characteristic or measurement the value of which
varies from one individual to another or from one
Defining variables
period to another in the same individual.
• Variables should be defined operatively meaning
• Variables to be studied in research are selected on
the definition must interpret the term as it is
the basis of their relevance to the objective
employed in relation to the researcher’s project.
• Data are capable of taking in different values.
• Avoid dictionary or conceptual definition because
• Usually easy to define and level or measurement is they are seldom adequate or helpful.
objective, i.e., devoid of any subjective
• In defining a term, the researcher makes that term
interpretation.
mean whatever he wishes it to mean within the
• They can be either qualitative or quantitative context of the problem.


QUALITATIVE DATA Concept
• Take categories from different levels Of • Are mental images or perceptions.
measurement • Their meaning may vary from individual to
Example: individual.
• Sex is a qualitative variable and takes two • Unlike a variable, a concept cannot be measured
levels of categories, male and female. objectively.
• Civil status is another qualitative variable and • It is therefore important for a concept to be
may be categorized as, single, married or converted into a variable.
widowed.
• One must be able to formulate criteria to be able to

measure the concept and transform it to a variable
QUANTITATIVE DATA
• Converting a concept to a variable needs a
• Take quantitative measures validated questionnaire or a set of criteria to make
• Can either be counted or measurements it usable in research that is devoid of various
Example: interpretations and measurement
• Age is a quantitative variable when measured • Setting an indicator or indicators or a set of criteria
in years or in months to define a concept is operationalizing the concept
• Weight is another one when measured in • Below is an example of an operationalization of a
kilograms or in pounds concept
• Number of patients in an OPD is countable • “Burnout” – syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism
quantitative variable. and low professional efficacy characterized by:
Ø Emotional exhaustion (EE)
VARIABLE Ø Depersonalization (DP)
Another way of classifying variables: Ø And diminished feelings of personal
• Dependent or response variable accomplishment (PA)
• One whose value depends on or its affected by o Measured by Maslach Burnout Inventory
the independent variable (IBM)
• Independent variable • A 22 item internationally validated measure of
• Affects the value of dependent variables burnout that examines three domains
• Confounding/ control/ extraneous variables including emotional exhaustion,
• Not of primary interest to the researcher but depersonalizations symptoms and level; of
may have an effect on the response variable person accomplishment at work.
and hence should be controlled for in a study
Example: in a study on the association between
blood pressure and cholesterol level, the former is

S2 T5 | 1 of 3

Family Medicine and Community Health I
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION/ OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
• Emotional exhaustion (EE) subscale score • Absence of clinical sign and symptoms
ranges from 0 to 54, high and low score are ≥27 (general) for at least 6 months after the
and ≤18, respectively. medication (differential)

• Depersonalization (DP) subscale score ranges General objectives:
from 0 to 30, high and low score are ≥10 and To determine the relationship of the socio- demographic
≤5, respectively. factors and the presence of anxiety and depression among
diabetic foot patients seen at the Diabetic Foot Clinic of The
• Personal accomplishment (PA) subscale score East Avenue Medical Center.
ranges from 0 to 48, high and low score are ≥40
and ≤33, respectively. Specific objectives:
1. To provide socio-economic profile if patient with
• High burnout: high score in EE and DP with a Low diabetic foot ulcers seen at the Diabetic Foot Clinic.
score on PA 2. To determine the level of Depression and anxiety
• Low burnout: Low scores on EE and DP and a high among the patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers at The
score on PA Diabetic Foot Clinic.
• Average Burnout: average score on all scale or mot 3. To identify the factors affecting the level of anxiety
fulfilling high or low burnout criteria and depression among diabetic foot patient and
anxiety and depression as to the following:
EXAMPLES OF CONCEPTS: a) Age
• Quality of hospital service is an example of a b) Glycemic control
concept. c) Co-morbidities (PTB, HPN, BA)
• Stress is another one. d) Lifestyle factors (Smoking, Alcohol)
• Over eating is still another one. e) BMI
f) Duration of diabetes
EXERCISE: g) Functional Ability
h) Treatment plan
• To determine the faces for candidemia among
i) Anti-diabetic medications
critically ill neonates in terms of age, gender,

manner of delivery, birth weight and age of
Incomplete operational definition:
gestation.
• Anxiety/Depression – assessed by the Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Scale.
• Variables to be defined
- Factors affecting anxiety and depression in the
Ø Age
Ø Manner of delivery specific objective no. 3 are the variables that need
Ø Birth weight to be defined.
Ø Age of gestation
Incorrect Definition

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION • Type 2 DM – patient who did not commence
insulin treatment at the time of diagnosis.
Have 3 parts
1. The term to be defined • Diabetic foot ulcer – diagnosed using the
2. The general or general class to which the concept Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument
being defined belongs and ulcers are graded according to University
3. The differential which is the specific characteristic of Texas diabetic wound classification.
or trait which distinguishes the concept being • Patients with diabetic foot – defined as patients
defined from all other members of the general previously admitted at EAMC last January
classifications 2010- December 2013 and who follow up at
Diabetic Foot Clinic
Difference Between Conceptual and Operational
Definition NOTE : ALL OF THEM NEED NOT TO BE DEFINED.

• Remission

• Conceptual definition
EXERCISES:
• Abatement or subsidence of the virulence of a

disease
Ø Research Question
• Operational definition

S2T5 2 of 3

Family Medicine and Community Health I
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION/ OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
What are the experiences and practices of pediatric 1. Non-HDL cholesterol is a steroid alcohol
residents in addressing palliative and end-of-life C27H45OH that is present in the body
care of their patients? fluids.
2. CAD is a state where one or more coronary
Ø Objective arteries are blocked as determined by a
To determine the experiences and practices of Coronary angiogram.
pediatric residents on palliative and end of life care 3. BMI is a measure of the total fat of the
of patients in a tertiary pediatric hospital. body.





• Inappropriate operational definition of Terms
Ø End-of-life care
Focuses on taking care of children as they
near death to ease the child’s pain, keep
them calm and comfortable, make
decisions about the use of life support, talk
about their last wishes, and grieve the
death of the child.

• Identify whether the statements below following
an objective statement are operational definitions
or not, or not to be defined.

• To examine the maternal and foetal adverse
outcome in relation to maternal obesity.

1. Maternal obesity is defined as a state or
condition characterized by the excessive
accumulation and storage of fat in the
body.
2. Foetal adverse outcome is characterized
as something unfavorable or bad related
to the fetus.
3. Maternal adverse outcome is presence of
gestational DM and/or gestational
hypertension.

• To determine the relationship between neonatal
mortality and environmental factors such as, birth
attendant, place of delivery, feeding practices
1. Place of delivery is classified as either
home, health center or hospital delivery
2. Birth attendant is the person who
attended to the delivery and classified as
either traditional birth attendant,
midwife, nurse or physician.
3. Neonatal mortality is defined as death of
the neonate below 28 days of life.

• To determine the correlation between non-HDL
cholesterol and BMI among patients with Coronary
Artery Disease.

S2T5 3 of 3