Mediator vs Moderator Variable: Meaning, Difference, and Examples

You have probably encountered the terms mediators and moderators at some point. However, only a few might know what these mean and how they are used in research. 

We will not make things difficult by using technical terms and jargon. Instead, we will make it as simple as possible. Also, we will focus on the mediator vs moderator topic, along with a clear understanding of independent and dependent variables. 

By the end of the blog, you will have a clear idea about the meaning of the mediator and moderator variables, the relationship between the two variables, and the differences. 

Let’s dive right in!

What Is Mediation in Research?

Let’s say you are looking for a house to rent in the US. To get the right place to stay, you will either look for one online or hire a broker to find a house. In this scenario, the broker is the mediator. The mediator only partially explains the terms and conditions and other aspects. It is up to you and the landlord to finalize the deal. 

Similarly, in research, the mediating variable provides a way for independent variables to influence a dependent variable. It also provides the ways and reasons the two variables are related to each other. 

With reference to the example above: 

➤ Independent variable – Customer (you)
➤ Dependent variable – Landlord
➤ Mediator – Broker or any online portal

In statistics, mediation analysis is used to run tests to understand whether a variable can be considered a mediator using linear regression analyses or ANOVAs. 

There are two types of mediation: full mediation and partial mediation. Here’s what they mean: 

➤ Full mediation refers to cases where the mediator gives a complete explanation of the ways the two variables are related to each other
➤ Partial mediation refers to the statistical relationship between the independent and dependent variables, even after taking the mediator out of the model

That will help you understand what a mediator is and how it plays a role in different aspects. Moving on, we will understand the meaning of a moderating variable before discussing the differences.

What Is a Moderator Variable?

Taking the same example of getting a rented place forward, let’s understand what a moderator is. Your broker has shortlisted a few houses and asked you to visit them. When you go through them, you find only a few that fit your budget. You go ahead and visit those with your broker. 

In the above example, money plays the role of a moderator. Simply put, moderation strengthens or directs the relationship between two variables. In this case, money is a third variable that influences the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. 

Moderation analysis refers to the degree to which the third variable influences the relationship between an independent and dependent variable. 

Now that you have an idea of what a mediator and moderator are, let’s focus on the main point of this blog: mediator vs. moderator variables and how they are different.

Mediator vs Moderator Variables in Research

Understanding the difference between a mediator and a moderator is important to complete the research successfully. When you talk about mediators and moderators in your research, most of you confuse one with the other. To clear the air, here’s a detailed breakdown of the points showing how they are different from one another: 

Both moderators and mediators are equally important in any research. In the following section, we will discuss the mediation analysis and moderation analysis to further clear all your doubts. You can also learn about externship vs internship to familiarize yourself with these terms.

Mediation Analysis: Exploring the Process and Significance in Research

In research, you need two kinds of variables: dependent and independent variables. It is not possible to establish a relationship between the two without the mediator variable. Mediation analysis is used to understand whether a variable is a mediator or not. It is determined by using either of the two methods: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or linear regression analysis. 

The mediator thoroughly explains the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It is impossible to complete research if you take the mediator out of the model. 

In the case of partial mediation, the mediator partially explains the relation because it is taken out of the model midway. There are cases where it is taken out midway, but it is one of the most important factors that affect the entire research. 

You must follow a few guidelines to complete the mediation analysis: 

➤ The independent variable should cause the mediator
➤ The mediator must influence the dependent variable
➤ The mediator must be the major factor in establishing a higher statistical correlation between the independent and dependent variables

Linear regression describes the connection between the variables by using a line to connect the data you observe. The process helps analyze how an independent variable affects the dependent variable. On the other hand, ANOVA is the process that analyzes how the means of three or more groups are different from each other.

Exploring the Process and Significance of Moderation Analysis

The process of moderation analysis is used to test how the use of a moderator variable affects the relation between the two variables. 

Multiple linear regression analysis is used in this case. It is used to assess the relationship between one dependent variable and two or more independent variables. You can use the R program to perform multiple regression analysis or content moderation analysis using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). 

Moderator variables are also known as interactions or products. These can be both qualitative and quantitative. The variables help you judge the external validity of your research. It identifies limitations when relationships are on hold. 

By now, you have understood how dependent variables and independent variables can be connected. Also, you have understood how a mediator variable plays a crucial role in building a relationship and how the moderating variable affects the strength and direction of the relationship. Further, you have understood how a mediator explains the relationship between two variables and the impact of moderation in research. 

Before we end the discussion, let’s take you through a few examples of mediation and moderation.

Mediator vs Moderator Examples

Understanding independent variables, dependent variables, mediator variables, and moderators can be easy if you relate them to your daily activities. Here are a few examples to clear the air and help you know more about the concepts: 

1. Sleep Affects Work Performance

Here, ‘sleep’ is an independent variable, and ‘work performance’ is a dependent variable. Your cognitive abilities will act as a mediator in this case. This is a very common example, and every one of us can relate to it. If you look at it from the perspective of mediation, you will understand the concept better. 

2. Social Media and Loneliness

Social media and loneliness is one of the burning topics presently, and there’s a moderator perspective here as well. Loneliness due to social media is observed more in adolescents than in older adults. Here, age is a moderator. 

3. Low Self-Esteem and Fewer Social Interactions

You would have encountered people who shy away from interacting with people. The reason is that they have low self-esteem (independent variable) which in turn leads to shyness (mediator), thus less social interactions (dependent variable). 

4. Stress and Negative Health Outcomes

Stress can lead to negative health outcomes. It has been seen on numerous occasions that people under stress do not find enough social support, thus leading to negative health outcomes. Social support here is the moderator. 

5. Parents’ Education Level and Child’s Reading Ability

It has been observed that a child’s reading ability is affected by their parents’ education level. Here, the parents’ education level is the independent variable, the child’s reading ability is the dependent variable, and the mediator is reading skills. 

6. Customer Service and Sales

You will see that the relationship between customer service values of employees and sales is stronger in rural areas than in urban areas. In this case, the location acts as a moderator between the two variables.

Understanding the difference between a mediation variable and moderator is not as easy as understanding the difference between footnote and endnote. You must know about the technicalities and try fitting these terms in your daily activities to gain a proper understanding.

Endnote:

Hope the blog has cleared the air around the differences between a mediator variable and a moderator. We recommend you to apply the learnings to further strengthen your knowledge. You can also connect with exprts from this field to learn more about the concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Latest Blogs