Presentation of Statistics
Topic; Differences between Moderation and Mediation
variable
• Presented to; [Link] Ata
• Presented by; Fakhira Nasser
• Roll no;10
• Department of psychology university of Sargodha
Introduction
• Moderation and mediation are two critical statistical concepts widely used
in psychology, social sciences, and business research to understand
relationships among variables. Both concepts help explore how or why
certain relationships occur, but their roles and interpretations differ. This
assignment delves into these concepts, their differences, practical
applications, and includes models for better understanding
Mediation
• Mediation explains the process or mechanism through which an
independent variable (IV) influences a dependent variable (DV) via a third
variable, known as the mediator. The mediator acts as a bridge linking the
IV to the DV.
Example:
• The effect of job training (IV) on employee performance (DV) may be
mediated by improved skills (Mediator).
Mediation Model
Mediation Focus:
• Explains the why or how an effect occurs.
• Assesses indirect effects.
• Moderation Focus:
• Explores the when or under what conditions an effect occurs.
• Assesses interaction effects.
Steps:
• The IV should significantly predict the mediator.
• The mediator should significantly predict the DV.
• The IV's effect on the DV should increase or become significant when the
mediator is included in the model (full or partial mediation)
• IV → Mediator → DV
Moderation:
• Moderation examines when or under what conditions the relationship
between an IV and a DV changes in strength or direction, due to a third
variable known as the moderator.
Example
• The relationship between work stress (IV) and job satisfaction (DV) may
depend on the level of social support (Moderator
Moderation Model
Model
Steps:
• Interaction term (IV × Moderator) is included in the regression model.
• A significant interaction indicates moderation
Focuses on
• Moderation focuses on understanding when, for whom, or under what
conditions the relationship between an independent variable (IV) and a
dependent variable (DV) changes. It identifies factors, called moderators,
that alter the strength, direction, or existence of the IV-DV relationship.
Assumptions and Testing
• Mediation Assumptions:
• Temporal precedence of variables.
• Cause / idea
• Causal relationship among IV, mediator, and DV.
• IV influence the mediator
• Mediator influence the DV
• IV must effect on DV
Moderation Assumptions:
• Linearity of relationships.
• Independence of interaction terms.
Testing
• Mediation:
• Baron and Kenny's steps
• Step 1: Show that the independent variable (IV) significantly affects the dependent variable (DV).
• Step 2: Show that the independent variable (IV) significantly affects the mediator (M).
• Step 3 Show that the mediator (M) significantly affects the dependent variable (DV) when the
independent variable (IV) is controlled.
• Step 4: Show that the effect of the independent variable (IV) on the dependent variable (DV) is reduced
(or becomes non-significant) when the mediator (M) is included in the model.
Sobel test, or Bootstrapping.
• methods used in statistics to analyze the relationship between variables in a
mode
Moderation
• Hierarchical regression or ANOVA with interaction terms
• process micro
Conclusion
• Understanding the differences between mediation and moderation is
essential for choosing the right model for research. While mediation
explains mechanisms, moderation clarifies conditions. These concepts help
researchers uncover deeper insights and enhance the validity of their
findings
