In science and research, an attribute is a quality of an object (person, thing, etc.).[1] Attributes are closely related to variables. A variable is a logical set of attributes.[1] Variables can "vary" – for example, be high or low.[1] How high, or how low, is determined by the value of the attribute (and in fact, an attribute could be just the word "low" or "high").[1](For example see: Binary option)
While an attribute is often intuitive, the variable is the operationalized way in which the attribute is represented for further data processing. In data processing data are often represented by a combination of items (objects organized in rows), and multiple variables (organized in columns).
Values of each variable statistically "vary" (or are distributed) across the variable's domain. A domain is a set of all possible values that a variable is allowed to have. The values are ordered in a logical way and must be defined for each variable. Domains can be bigger or smaller. The smallest possible domains have those variables that can only have two values, also called binary (or dichotomous) variables. Bigger domains have non-dichotomous variables and the ones with a higher level of measurement. (See also domain of discourse.)
Semantically, greater precision can be obtained when considering an object's characteristics by distinguishing 'attributes' (characteristics that are attributed to an object) from 'traits' (characteristics that are inherent to the object).
Examples
Age is an attribute that can be operationalized in many ways. It can be dichotomized so that only two values – "old" and "young" – are allowed for further data processing. In this case the attribute "age" is operationalized as a binary variable. If more than two values are possible and they can be ordered, the attribute is represented by ordinal variable, such as "young", "middle age", and "old". Next it can be made of rational values, such as 1, 2, 3.... 99.[1]
The "social class" attribute can be operationalized in similar ways as age, including "lower", "middle" and "upper class" and each class could be differentiated between upper and lower, transforming thus changing the three attributes into six (see the model proposed by William Lloyd Warner) or it could use different terminology (such as the working class as in the model by Gilbert and Kahl).
variable, attribute, research, science, research, attribute, quality, object, person, thing, attributes, closely, related, variables, variable, logical, attributes, variables, vary, example, high, high, determined, value, attribute, fact, attribute, could, jus. In science and research an attribute is a quality of an object person thing etc 1 Attributes are closely related to variables A variable is a logical set of attributes 1 Variables can vary for example be high or low 1 How high or how low is determined by the value of the attribute and in fact an attribute could be just the word low or high 1 For example see Binary option While an attribute is often intuitive the variable is the operationalized way in which the attribute is represented for further data processing In data processing data are often represented by a combination of items objects organized in rows and multiple variables organized in columns Values of each variable statistically vary or are distributed across the variable s domain A domain is a set of all possible values that a variable is allowed to have The values are ordered in a logical way and must be defined for each variable Domains can be bigger or smaller The smallest possible domains have those variables that can only have two values also called binary or dichotomous variables Bigger domains have non dichotomous variables and the ones with a higher level of measurement See also domain of discourse Semantically greater precision can be obtained when considering an object s characteristics by distinguishing attributes characteristics that are attributed to an object from traits characteristics that are inherent to the object Examples EditAge is an attribute that can be operationalized in many ways It can be dichotomized so that only two values old and young are allowed for further data processing In this case the attribute age is operationalized as a binary variable If more than two values are possible and they can be ordered the attribute is represented by ordinal variable such as young middle age and old Next it can be made of rational values such as 1 2 3 99 1 The social class attribute can be operationalized in similar ways as age including lower middle and upper class and each class could be differentiated between upper and lower transforming thus changing the three attributes into six see the model proposed by William Lloyd Warner or it could use different terminology such as the working class as in the model by Gilbert and Kahl See also EditQualitative data Quantitative dataNotes Edit a b c d e Earl R Babbie The Practice of Social Research 12th edition Wadsworth Publishing 2009 ISBN 0 495 59841 0 p 14 18 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Variable and attribute research amp oldid 1093863999, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
