What are "variables" in the context of a research study?

In the context of a research study, "variables" refer to characteristics or factors that can change and be measured. They are essential components of research because they allow researchers to quantify relationships and differences between different elements within a study.

Variables can take on various forms, including independent variables, which researchers manipulate to observe effects, and dependent variables, which are the outcomes measured to assess the impact of those manipulations. By identifying and measuring these changing characteristics, researchers can analyze data, draw conclusions, and test hypotheses. This dynamic nature of variables is critical for understanding how different factors interact or influence one another in the context of the study. In essence, the variability of these characteristics is what enables researchers to conduct experiments and analyze results effectively.