for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
Copyright
Course Navigator
What is Internal Validity in Research? - Definition & ExamplesNext Lesson 

Predictor Variable: Definition & Example

Chapter 9 /  Lesson 15   Transcript
Start Your Free Trial Today

An error occurred trying to load this video.

Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

Coming up next: What is Internal Validity in Research? - Definition & Examples

You're on a roll. Keep up the good work!

Take Quiz Watch Next Lesson
 Replay
Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds
  • 0:00 Definition of a…
  • 0:48 Difference Between…
  • 2:37 Additional Examples
  • 3:45 Lesson Summary
Add to Add to Add to

Want to watch this again later?

Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course.

Login or Sign up

Timeline
Autoplay
Autoplay

Recommended Lessons and Courses for You

Lesson Transcript
Instructor: Yolanda Williams

Yolanda has taught college Psychology and Ethics, and has a doctorate of philosophy in counselor education and supervision.

Did you know predictor variables are commonly used in nonexperimental research designs? Learn more about predictor variables from examples, and then test your knowledge with a quiz.

Definition of a Predictor Variable

Mia is a psychologist who is interested in developing a program for first generation college students. In order to gain baseline data that can be used to create her program, Mia decides to conduct a study. Mia wants to know if a relationship exists between first generation college students' attendance and grade point average. More specifically, she wants to test her hypothesis that attendance can be used to predict grade point average. In this example, attendance is the predictor variable.

A predictor variable is a variable that is being used to predict some other variable or outcome. In the example we just used now, Mia is using attendance as a means to predict another variable, grade point average.

Difference Between Predictor and Independent

Predictor variable is often confused with independent variable. Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different concepts. Predictor variable and independent variable are both similar in that they are used to observe how they affect some other variable or outcome. The main difference is that independent variables can be used to determine if one variable is the cause of changes in another, whereas predictor variables cannot.

Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher in such a way that allows the researcher to conclude the independent variable either causes or does not cause the changes in the other variable or outcome. Predictor variables are generally not manipulated by the researcher. The differences and the changes in the predictor variable across subjects are usually naturally occurring. Independent variables are used in true experimental designs; predictor variables are used in nonexperimental research.

Let's look at Mia's study. She is looking at the attendance of the students as it is. She is not going to make students alter their attendance pattern for the sake of her study. Could you imagine how students would respond if Mia were to say I need you to miss thirty days of school, and then report your grade point average to me? This would be highly unethical and would rub many students the wrong way. Mia is going to look at their attendance as it naturally occurs, and then see how their attendance influences their grade point average.

Let's say Mia conducted her study and found that students who attended more days of school had the highest grades. Does this mean attending school causes your grade point average to increase? No, it does not. It simply means that a positive relationship exists between attendance and grade point average and that you can predict someone's grade point average based on their attendance.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register for a free trial

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back
What teachers are saying about Study.com
Free 5-day trial
Description

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 160 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Transferring credit to the school of your choice

Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.

Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school.

Browse Articles By Category

Browse an area of study or degree level.

Recommended Articles
You are viewing lesson Lesson 15 in chapter 9 of the course:

 Back To Course

Research Methods in Psychology: Tutoring Solution

15 chapters | 146 lessons

Ch 9. Measurement in Research: Tutoring Solution
Ch 10. Internal Validity in Research:...

Predictor Variable: Definition & Example Related Study Materials

Create an account to start this course today
Try it free for 5 days!
Create An Account

Explore our library of over 70,000 lessons

Browse by subject
Support