| Title |
When ab ≠ c – c′: Published errors in the reports of single-mediator models
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
Behavior Research Methods, October 2012
|
| DOI | 10.3758/s13428-012-0262-5 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
John V. Petrocelli, Joshua J. Clarkson, Melanie B. Whitmire, Paul E. Moon |
| Abstract |
Accurate reports of mediation analyses are critical to the assessment of inferences related to causality, since these inferences are consequential for both the evaluation of previous research (e.g., meta-analyses) and the progression of future research. However, upon reexamination, approximately 15% of published articles in psychology contain at least one incorrect statistical conclusion (Bakker & Wicherts, Behavior research methods, 43, 666-678 2011), disparities that beget the question of inaccuracy in mediation reports. To quantify this question of inaccuracy, articles reporting standard use of single-mediator models in three high-impact journals in personality and social psychology during 2011 were examined. More than 24% of the 156 models coded failed an equivalence test (i.e., ab = c - c'), suggesting that one or more regression coefficients in mediation analyses are frequently misreported. The authors cite common sources of errors, provide recommendations for enhanced accuracy in reports of single-mediator models, and discuss implications for alternative methods. |
X Demographics
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Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 5 | 56% |
| United Kingdom | 2 | 22% |
| Denmark | 1 | 11% |
| United States | 1 | 11% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Scientists | 5 | 56% |
| Members of the public | 3 | 33% |
| Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 11% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 25 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | 1 | 4% |
| United States | 1 | 4% |
| Belgium | 1 | 4% |
| Canada | 1 | 4% |
| Unknown | 21 | 84% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 20% |
| Student > Master | 5 | 20% |
| Researcher | 4 | 16% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 12% |
| Professor > Associate Professor | 3 | 12% |
| Other | 3 | 12% |
| Unknown | 2 | 8% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 6 | 24% |
| Social Sciences | 4 | 16% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4 | 16% |
| Business, Management and Accounting | 3 | 12% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 8% |
| Other | 4 | 16% |
| Unknown | 2 | 8% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 16. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 28 February 2018.
All research outputs
#2,231,501
of 25,373,627 outputs
Outputs from Behavior Research Methods
#230
of 2,525 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#15,151
of 191,766 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Behavior Research Methods
#4
of 19 outputs
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