Variables and Values
A variable in an investigation is something measured, observed, or asked about. A variable usually varies or differs from one person or thing to the next. That is what makes the investigation interesting. For example, eye color varies from person to person, so eye color could be a variable in an investigation about students in the class.
The values of a variable are its specific amounts, types, or qualities. Examples of some values for variables are in the table.
Collecting the Data
After listing several variables they could study about each other, Mrs. Dewey's class decided to collect data about the variable, Main Interest. They each wrote their main interest in a table beside their name. Some students chose reading, while others chose animals, sports, music, outdoors, or playing games. These choices are values of the variable, Main Interest.