Hi,
First time writer of a paper here. Following my research I have found that my moderator has an insignificant effect on the main relationship between the dependent and independent variable. However, the moderator variable appeared to have a very strong direct effect on the dependent (outcome) variable. I am currently trying to explain this insignificant effect in the discussion but am not sure what the reason of this insignificance is.
My question is: Does the strong direct effect of the moderator on the dependent variable mean that it is impossible for the moderator variable to have a moderating effect on the main relationship?
Again I am very new to all this so my knowledge is quite limited. Thanks in advance!
Bart
Hello Bart,
A variable proposed as a moderator may, of course, have a significant direct effect on a DV, regardless of whether it actually interacts to a significant degree with some chosen IV.
Why might your scenario occur?
1. There genuinely is little or no interaction of the IV and the proposed moderator in the population.
2. Your sample size was inadequate to detect the presence of an interaction of the IV and proposed moderator.
3. Your sample was unrepresentative of the population.
4. One or more of your measures was of inadequate technical quality for representing the intended target variable.
5. It's just a type II error (the lack of significant interaction, that is).
Good luck with your work.
David Morse gave an excellent answer what reasons may cause your results. But why do you analyze something, if you do not know HOW to analyze or interpret it in the first place, let alone writing a paper about it. Who knows what else is wrong with your data and analyses.....
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