Page 24 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Educational Measurement and Evaluation

Notes 2.1.1 Measuring Variables and Their Types
From the viewpoint of measurement, variables are meant by those characteristics of objects, persons
and activities in which the objects, persons and activities are not uniform in a group; for example,
the weight, intelligence and personality of persons. There is possibility that the weight of a few
members may be equal, however all persons of a group cannot have the equal weight; and if a
group is such formed that the weight of all members is equal, then the weight of such persons
would become constant in place of being variable. It is evident that a characteristic can be variable
for one group while it can be constant for another. We can clarify it further by another illustration.
Sex in a group of boys and girls is a variable and they can be divided into two groups of boys and
girls on the basis of their sex; however, in separate groups of boys or girls the sex is not a variable.
Variables are of two types—Qualitative variables and Quantitative variables.
Qualitative Variables

Some qualities of objects and persons are such which can only be perceived, but they cannot be
measured in definite units; for example, the complexion, caste, religion and sex of people. These
qualities or characteristics are called qualitative variables. The level or class of the students is another
example of qualitative variable. On the basis of this variable, they can be classified into the students
of primary, middle and higher classes or levels. The students of higher classes can also be classified
on the basis of their subjects — art, commerce, engineering, medical, etc. At this level, the subjects
(disciplines) also function as qualitative variable.
Quantitative Variables

Some qualities of objects and persons are such which can be measured in definite units or quantity;
for example, height, weight and I.Q. of persons. Such qualities of persons are called quantitative
variables. Proficiency of students in a particular subject is also included in quantitative variable
because it can be measured in definite units by testing. Quantitative variables are of two types —
Continuous variables and Discrete variables.
1. Continuous Variables : Those quantitative variables are included in continuous variables which
can be of any quantitative value between any two continuous quantitative whole numbers for
example, height of a person. It is not necessary for a person’s height to be in the whole number,
such as 171 cm following 170 cm. It can also be 170.1 cm, 170.2 cm, 170.3 cm, 170.4 cm, 170.5 cm,
170.6 cm, etc. or it can be even 170.11 cm and 170.12 cm. The units used in the continuous
variables are never whole numbers by themselves, rather they are approximate numbers, they
have a part in them.
2. Discrete Variables : Those quantitative variables are included in discrete variables which are
always measured in whole numbers; for example the number of students in a class. This
number can always be a whole number (40, 41, 50, etc.) and never a part of it (40.5, 41.51, 45.52,
etc.). The discrete variables are always in whole numbers, so their units of measurement are
always exact numbers.
2.1.2 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement

Qualitative Measurement
Perceiving the characteristics of an object, person or activity in the form of a quality is called qualitative
measurement; for example, describing a student as very intelligent, or dull is qualitative measurement.

Quantitative Measurement
Measuring the characteristics of an object, person or activity in the form of quantity is called
quantitative measurement; for example, to measure the I.Q (Intelligence Quotient) of a student as
140, 120 or 110 is quantitative measurement.

18 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY