OBJECTIVE: In recognition of the increasingly important role of moderators and mediators in clinical research, clear definitions are sought of the two terms to avoid inconsistent, ambiguous, and possibly misleading results across clinical research studies. DESIGN: The criteria used to define moderators and mediators proposed by the Baron & Kenny approach, which have been long used in social/behavioral research, are directly compared to the criteria proposed by the recent MacArthur approach, which modified the Baron & Kenny criteria. RESULTS: After clarifying the differences in criteria between approaches, the rationale for the modifications is clarified and the implications for the design and interpretation of future studies considered. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers may find modifications introduced in the MacArthur approach more appropriate to their research objectives, particularly if their research might have a direct influence on decision making.
OBJECTIVE: In recognition of the increasingly important role of moderators and mediators in clinical research, clear definitions are sought of the two terms to avoid inconsistent, ambiguous, and possibly misleading results across clinical research studies. DESIGN: The criteria used to define moderators and mediators proposed by the Baron & Kenny approach, which have been long used in social/behavioral research, are directly compared to the criteria proposed by the recent MacArthur approach, which modified the Baron & Kenny criteria. RESULTS: After clarifying the differences in criteria between approaches, the rationale for the modifications is clarified and the implications for the design and interpretation of future studies considered. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers may find modifications introduced in the MacArthur approach more appropriate to their research objectives, particularly if their research might have a direct influence on decision making.
Authors: D G Altman; K F Schulz; D Moher; M Egger; F Davidoff; D Elbourne; P C Gøtzsche; T Lang Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2001-04-17 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Marilyn J Essex; Helena C Kraemer; Jeffrey M Armstrong; W Thomas Boyce; H Hill Goldsmith; Marjorie H Klein; Hermi Woodward; David J Kupfer Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2006-11
Authors: Sara R Jaffee; Avshalom Caspi; Terrie E Moffitt; Kenneth A Dodge; Michael Rutter; Alan Taylor; Lucy A Tully Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2005
Authors: Peter J Bieling; Lance L Hawley; Richard T Bloch; Kathleen M Corcoran; Robert D Levitan; L Trevor Young; Glenda M Macqueen; Zindel V Segal Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2012-03-12
Authors: Kelly H Watson; Jennifer P Dunbar; Jennifer Thigpen; Michelle M Reising; Kelsey Hudson; Laura McKee; Rex Forehand; Bruce E Compas Journal: J Fam Psychol Date: 2014-04-28
Authors: Elisa M Trucco; Sandra Villafuerte; Mary M Heitzeg; Margit Burmeister; Robert A Zucker Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2014-05-09 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: Sarah M Wilson; Lauren P Hair; Jeffrey S Hertzberg; Angela C Kirby; Maren K Olsen; Jennifer H Lindquist; Matthew L Maciejewski; Jean C Beckham; Patrick S Calhoun Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2016-08-10 Impact factor: 2.226