Variables in a Research Study and Data Collection
A researcher has to identify variables in the study. There are two variables in a research study; the dependent variable and the independent variable. The dependent variable is what the researcher is interested (Yin, 2013). The aim is to measure the changes that take place with the dependent variable. On the other hand, the independent variable affects the dependent variable. The researcher will manipulate this independent variable with an expectation of change on the dependent variable.
Data collection comes in as the process of gathering and then measuring information on the variables identified (Yin, 2013). This is done in a systematic and established way that will enable the researcher to provide answers to the research questions, tests the hypothesis and evaluation of the outcomes. The methods of data collection vary but what is important is ensuring the data is honest and accurate.
Method and variables used in the study
The two variables in this research study are health empowerment and immigrant women. The theory was that the increase of immigration marriage had an impact on health issues in the affected countries (Yang et al., 2015). The health concerns are the dependent variable while the international immigrant marriage was the independent variable. The immigration of these marriages that is mostly influenced by match-making agencies affected the health issues experienced by the receiving country.
The study on health empowerment among immigrant women in transnational marriages in Taiwan used in-depth interviews and participatory action research in collecting data (Yang et al., 2015). The subjects were to participate in the research and give their feedback to structured questions. The interviews were detailed and thorough to obtain as much information as possible. A total of sixty-eight women were selected to participate in the study (Yang et al., 2015). The tasks performed in collection of data were;
• Recruitment of subjects to participate in the study
• Interviews were conducted on the women selected to participate in the study
• Workshops were set of the project on health empowerment
• Completion of eight workshops that were set for the health empowerment project
• Application of participatory action research in collecting data
Conclusion
The viability of the results of a research study is based on the ability of the researchers to correlate the dependent and independent variables. This however is not an instantaneous even but one that must be adhered to from the commencement of the research to the end. This implies that the research questions defined at the start do give the researchers a guide that will hold them accountable to the variables under focus (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014). On the other hand, the methods of data collection, design and analysis must put into consideration the role of each variable and how it is expected to change within the confines that have been defined. It is apparent that in this study, the researchers did identity well with the variables they sought to study and ultimately chose the methods that suit their objectives.
References
LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Yang, Y. M., Wang, H. H., Lee, F. H., Lin, M. L., & Lin, P. C. (2015). Health Empowerment Among Immigrant Women in Transnational Marriages in Taiwan. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(2), 135-142.
Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage publications.
