Kumar-2011-Research-Methodology_-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-for-Beginners

Table 5.2 Converting concepts into variables
Concepts
Indicators Variables
Variables
Concepts Indicators Variables Decision level (working definitions)
Rich 1 Income 1 Income per year 1 if > $100 000
2 Assets 2 Total value of: 2 if > $250 000
home(s); boat; car(s);
investments
High academic 1 Average marks obtained in examinations 1 Percentage of marks 1 if > 75%
achievement 2 Average marks obtained in practical work 2 Percentage of marks 2 if > 75%
3 Aggregate marks 3 Percentage of marks 3 if > 80%
4 etc.
Effectiveness 1 Number of patients 1 number of patients serviced Whether the difference in before-and-after
(of a health 2 Changes in morbidity (a) Changes in the in a month/year levels is statistically significant
programme) extent of morbidity 2 (a) Changes in morbidity rate (number
(b) Changes in the pattern of morbidity of illness or episodes per 1000 pop.)
3 Changes in mortality (a) Changes in the (b) Changes in morbidity typology
Crude Death Rate (CDR) 3 1 Changes in CDR point-prevalence increase or decrease
(b) Changes in the Age-Specific Death 2 Changes in ASDR in each variable as decided by the
Rate (ASDR) 4 1 Changes in weight researcher or other experts
4 Changes in nutritional status 2 Illness episodes in a year
(a) Changes in weight 3 Changes in morbidity type
(b) Changes in illness episodes
(c) Changes in morbidity