What's the order of questions for moderating and mediating variables in an experimental design questionnaire? Does the moderating variable questions should come first or its the other way around?
The order of questions for moderating and mediating variables in an experimental design questionnaire can vary depending on the specific research design and goals. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.
1. Start with demographic and background questions: Begin the questionnaire by collecting basic information about the participants, such as age, gender, education level, and any relevant background information.
2. Introduce the main variables: Provide a brief explanation of the main variables being studied in the experiment. This could include the independent variable(s), dependent variable(s), and any potential moderating or mediating variables.
3. Measure the independent variable(s): Ask questions or use scales to assess the levels or conditions of the independent variable(s) being manipulated in the experiment. This could involve presenting scenarios, hypothetical situations, or specific stimuli to the participants.
4. Measure the dependent variable(s): Assess the outcome or response variable(s) that are expected to be influenced by the independent variable(s). This could involve asking participants about their attitudes, behaviors, opinions, or other relevant measures.
5. Include control variables: If there are any control variables that need to be accounted for in the analysis, include questions to measure them. Control variables are factors that could potentially influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
6. Measure moderating variables: Next, include questions or scales to assess any potential moderating variables. Moderating variables are factors that can influence the strength or direction of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These questions can be placed after the independent and dependent variable questions to provide context for the moderating variables.
7. Measure mediating variables: Finally, include questions or scales to assess any potential mediating variables. Mediating variables are factors that explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These questions can be placed after the independent and dependent variable questions and potentially after the moderating variable questions.
It is generally recommended to follow a logical flow in the questionnaire, starting with basic demographic information and gradually moving towards the main variables of interest. However, the specific order of moderating and mediating variable questions can be adjusted based on the research design and the theoretical framework being used. Here are a few references that provide further information on experimental design questionnaires and the order of questions for moderating and mediating variables:
1. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. Chapter 11 provides an overview of experimental design and the role of moderating and mediating variables.
2. Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. Chapter 14 discusses experimental design and the inclusion of moderating and mediating variables in questionnaires.
3. Hayes, A. F. (2018). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-Based Approach (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. This book focuses specifically on mediation and moderation analysis and provides guidance on how to include relevant variables in questionnaires.
4. Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. This book offers comprehensive guidance on survey design, including the order of questions and the inclusion of different types of variables.
Please note that these references provide a broader understanding of experimental design and questionnaire construction, and may not specifically address the order of questions for moderating and mediating variables. However, they offer valuable insights into the overall process of designing and conducting experimental research.