Identify Your Variables

Section 1: Why do variables matter?
Section 2: What is a variable?
Section 3: How do I identify a variable?
Section 4: What variables measure quantities and categories?
Section 5: How do I examine relationships between variables?
Section 6: What are independent and dependent variables?
Section 7: Why does correlation not automatically mean causation?
Section 8: How can I use variables in my research project?

From 2009 to 2014 John was the Strategic Advisor to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) on quantitative methods training overseeing the genesis and launch of the Q-Step programme. From 2015 to 2020 he was Strategic Advisor to the British Academy on Quantitative skills and a member of the British Academy's High Level Strategy group on Quantitative Skills. John is a Chartered Statistician and was Vice President (Professional Affairs) of the Royal Statistical Society 2019-20. He has held research grants from the European Commission, UK ESRC, British Academy, Leverhulme trust and British, Spanish and Catalan government departments.