Probing three-way interactions in moderated multiple regression: Development and application of a slope difference test

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Dawson, Jeremy F.; Richter, Andreas W.
• 署名单位: Aston University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.91.4.917
• 发表日期: 2006
• 页码: 917-926
• 关键词: moderated multiple regression; three-way interactions; slope difference test

摘要

Researchers often use 3-way interactions in moderated multiple regression analysis to test the joint effect of 3 independent variables on a dependent variable. However, further probing of significant interaction terms varies considerably and is sometimes error prone. The authors developed a significance test for slope differences in 3-way interactions and illustrate its importance for testing psychological hypotheses. Monte Carlo simulations revealed that sample size, magnitude of the slope difference, and data reliability affected test power. Application of the test to published data yielded detection of some slope differences that were undetected by alternative probing techniques and led to changes of results and conclusions. The authors conclude by discussing the test's applicability for psychological research.