"Course RedesignPass rates for Intermediate Algebra at a community college are 52.6%. In an effort to improve pass rates in the course, faculty of a community college develop a mastery-based learning model where course content is delivered in a lab through a computer program. The instructor serves as a learning mentor for the students. Of the 480 students who enroll in the mastery-based course, 267 pass.


a. What is the variable of interest in this study? What type of variable is it?"

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the variable of interest by determining what characteristic or outcome the study is measuring. In this case, the study focuses on whether students pass the Intermediate Algebra course under the new mastery-based learning model.
2. Recognize that the variable of interest is the students' course outcome, specifically whether each student passes or does not pass the course.
3. Classify the type of variable: since the outcome is categorical with two possible categories (pass or fail), this is a categorical (or qualitative) variable.
4. More specifically, because there are only two categories (pass/fail), this variable is a binary (or dichotomous) categorical variable.
5. Summarize: The variable of interest is the pass/fail status of students in the course, and it is a binary categorical variable.

Key Concepts

Variable of Interest

The variable of interest is the specific characteristic or outcome being measured or observed in a study. It represents what researchers want to understand or analyze, such as pass/fail status in a course. Identifying this variable is crucial for framing the research question and analysis.

Types of Variables

Variables can be classified as qualitative (categorical) or quantitative (numerical). Qualitative variables describe categories or groups, like pass/fail, while quantitative variables represent measurable quantities, like test scores. Understanding the type helps determine appropriate statistical methods.

Categorical (Binary) Variable

A categorical variable with two possible outcomes is called binary or dichotomous. In this study, the pass/fail outcome is binary, indicating whether a student passes or does not pass the course. Binary variables are often analyzed using proportions or percentages.