I employed Process Macro Model 15 to investigate a moderated mediation effect. The moderating variable significantly influences the indirect effect (path B), but does not show significance on the direct effect (path C).
Would it be appropriate to conclude there is a moderated mediation effect based on these findings?
I would not waste so much of my time on definitions, if that result is moderated mediation or not! It is much more important to look at the results pattern and how does this fit to your hypotheses and theoretical considerations. Is it plausible, that the moderator does not influence the direct path (but importantly: a non-significant result does NOT mean that you have evidence that the null hypothesis is true!)? Is there a descriptive effect, but maybe your power is too small, to detect it?
I would suggest to openly show ALL results to the audience and readers and discuss the results. Not more not less. Be honest, if you did not expect that finding or it even contradict your hypotheses. We all can only learn from your results, if you present them as they are.
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