Professor said always include a mediating variable as a “channel” in your study. For example if A causes C, tell readers what is the mediating variable B that is causing this to happen. E.g A causes B which causes C. He said gone are those days when you could get away with just saying A causes C. Can someone explain what this means
The mediating variable as you mentioned act as "channel". It basically provide a further explanation for the relationship of IV and DV. If there exist no direct relationship between the IV and DV we say there exist a "complete mediation"; that is, the mediator is the one creating association between IV and DV as Saleh Khatib
mentioned. But if a prior (without mediator) relationship exist we say there exist a "partial mediation"; that is, the mediator further explains already present association between IV and DV.
The following article may be helpful:
Preacher, K. J., Rucker, D. D., & Hayes, A. F. (2007). Addressing moderated mediation hypotheses: Theory, methods, and prescriptions. Multivariate behavioral research, 42(1), 185-227.
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