Moderation of non-existing path
Julia
Joined: 03/29/2012
Hi.
I am a little bit confused here. I am running a univariate model including GxE interaction in it. As a result, I am getting that c path is very close to zero and I can omit it. However, its moderation is statistically significant and I have to keep it in the model. How would one interpret that?
On one hand, I understand that when we don't take a moderator into account (or M=0), we calculate paths for all persons in the data set despite their difference in the measured environment. And in this case, the c path on average might be zero, but it does change with different values of the moderator.
On the other hand, I am a bit worried about the model. How can moderation of a path be estimated if this path does not exist on the first place?
Anyone who can disentangle this for me, please? Thank you in advance.
If I understand correctly,
If I understand correctly, it's just like moderation in regression. The main effect might be zero (and not statistically significant), but still have a non-zero interaction. I think you're on the right track when you say "in this case, the c path on average might be zero, but it does change with different values of the moderator.".
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In reply to If I understand correctly, by mhunter
Agreed
I suspect the formula for the path looks like this:
cTotal = c0 + mod * c1
Therefore, for values of mod not equal to zero, cTotal is not equal to zero.
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In reply to Agreed by neale
I thought so too, but then
I thought so too, but then got confused at some point and worried that the modelling might go wrong if I try to estimate the moderation of something that does not exist. But it is indeed just like in a regression model: the intercept might be zero while the interaction is significant.
Thank you!
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