the research question of whether the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is mediated by the mediator variable.
To answer this research question, we will first need to review the datasets provided. The datasets should contain information on the independent variable, the mediator variable, and the dependent variable for each case in the study.
The independent variable is the variable that is hypothesized to have a direct effect on the dependent variable. It is the variable that the researcher has control over and manipulates in the study. The mediator variable, on the other hand, is a variable that is hypothesized to mediate or explain the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. It is a variable that is affected by the independent variable and in turn affects the dependent variable. Finally, the dependent variable is the variable that is hypothesized to be directly affected by the independent variable.
Once we have reviewed the datasets and have the necessary variables, we can proceed with the multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis.
Multiple regression analysis is a statistical technique that allows us to examine the relationship between a dependent variable and multiple independent variables. In this analysis, the dependent variable is regressed on the independent variables, and the coefficients of the independent variables indicate the strength and direction of their relationship with the dependent variable. However, multiple regression analysis alone does not allow us to determine if the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is mediated by the mediator variable. For that, we need to conduct a mediation analysis.
Mediation analysis is a statistical technique used to examine the causal chain through which an independent variable affects a dependent variable. It involves three key steps: (1) establishing that there is a significant relationship between the independent variable and the mediator variable, (2) demonstrating that there is a significant relationship between the mediator variable and the dependent variable, and (3) verifying that the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is significantly reduced or eliminated after controlling for the mediator variable.
To conduct a mediation analysis, we will follow these steps:
1. First, we will examine the relationship between the independent variable and the mediator variable. We will perform a regression analysis, regressing the mediator variable on the independent variable. If there is a significant relationship between the independent variable and the mediator variable, we establish the first requirement for mediation.
2. Next, we will examine the relationship between the mediator variable and the dependent variable. We will perform another regression analysis, regressing the dependent variable on the mediator variable. If there is a significant relationship between the mediator variable and the dependent variable, we establish the second requirement for mediation.
3. Finally, we will conduct a multiple regression analysis, regressing the dependent variable on both the independent variable and the mediator variable. If the coefficient for the independent variable becomes smaller or non-significant after controlling for the mediator variable, we have evidence for mediation. This indicates that the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is mediated by the mediator variable.
It is important to note that mediation analysis does not establish causation but provides evidence for the mediation process. Additionally, there are different approaches to mediation analysis, such as the Sobel test or bootstrapping, that can be used to further test and validate the mediation effect.
In conclusion, to answer the research question of whether the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is mediated by the mediator variable, we will use mediation in our multiple regression analysis. This analysis involves examining the relationships between the independent variable, mediator variable, and dependent variable, and verifying if the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is significantly reduced or eliminated after controlling for the mediator variable.
