Research Methodology
Mediator
A variable that explains the mechanism or process through which an independent variable affects a dependent variable.
What is Mediator?
A mediator is an intervening variable that sits on the causal pathway between a predictor and an outcome. The independent variable causes changes in the mediator, which in turn causes changes in the dependent variable.
Why Mediator Matters
Mediation analysis helps researchers understand how or why an effect occurs, moving beyond simple cause-and-effect to uncover underlying processes and mechanisms.
Example
The relationship between a student's socioeconomic status (IV) and academic achievement (DV) might be mediated by access to educational resources like tutoring and books.
Common Mistakes
- Testing for mediation in cross-sectional data where the temporal sequence cannot be established.
- Treating a variable as a mediator when it is actually a confounder causing both the IV and DV.