Identifying mediation effects

Identifying mediation effects is a critical step in understanding the complex causal pathways that link the instrumental variables to their outcomes through one or more intervening variables. This section dives into the methodologies and statistical frameworks essential for detecting and quantifying these indirect effects. By outlining criteria for mediation, introducing statistical tests for assessing mediation significance, and discussing the assumptions underlying these analyses, you will have the tools to explore the nuanced mechanisms that drive observable relationships in your data. Through a comprehensive and technical exploration, this segment illuminates the processes that mediate causal relationships, enhancing the interpretability of empirical findings and contributing to more informed decision-making across various fields of study.

Criteria for mediation

Let’s first outline the criteria necessary to establish a mediation effect...