Intervening and Moderating Variables & Examples

Since ancient times, research has been a mandatory requirement for undergraduate, master, and doctoral graduation. In order for the research to be carried out properly, you must fully understand the variables contained in the research, namely intervening variables, independent, dependent, and others.

In this article, we will help you understand the variables in the research, especially intervening and moderating. So, let's take a good look at this article. yes.

What is a Variable?

A variable is anything that can have different and distinguishable values. The value can change at different times on the same object, or at the same time with different objects.

There are many types of variables, including independent, dependent, intervening, moderator, control variables, and so on. Variables can be discrete (such as male or female) and or continuous (such as wages).

For those who do not know, independent variables or independent variables are variables that affect other variables. Meanwhile, the dependent variable or the dependent variable is a variable whose existence is influenced by the independent variable.

Read: Independent Variable

Understanding Intervening Variables

Theoretically, the intervening variable is a variable that results in a relationship between variables independent with the dependent being an indirect, unobservable, and non-observable relationship be measured.

This variable becomes an intermediate variable which lies between the independent and dependent variables. Thus, resulting in the dependent variable being indirectly affected by the independent variable.

However, as previously mentioned, the power of the intervening variable in influencing the relationship between variables cannot be measured or observed.

Variables commonly referred to as mediating variables arise when the independent variable begins to operate to influence the dependent variable and the time of its impact is contained in it.

Therefore, there is a temporal quality or time dimension for the intervening variable. Running this variable helps you build a model for a method. This mediating variable appears as a function of the independent variable operating in any situation.

In addition, this variable helps conceptualize and explain the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Examples of Intervening Variables

a) There is a study that examines "The relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction and loyalty"

• Independent: service quality.
• Dependent: customer satisfaction.
• Intervening: loyalty.

b) There is an effect of the amount of education costs incurred by parents on the student's lifestyle and has an effect on the student's GPA

• Independent: the amount of education costs.
• Dependent: student's GPA.
• Intervening: lifestyle.

c) The establishment of a new price policy followed by an increase in sales volume, because buyers are rational

• Independent: the establishment of a new pricing policy.
• Dependent: increase in sales volume.
• Intervening: buyers are rational.

Read: Variable Introduction

Understanding Moderator Variables

The moderator variable is a variable that affects the strength of the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The moderator variable becomes a third party capable of modifying the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.

This variable aims to measure the strength of the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.

Through the scheme above, it can be seen that the moderator variable is outside the path of the independent and dependent variables.

Examples of Moderator Variables

a) The relationship between wages and the cost of medical examinations based on age.

• Independent: wages
• Dependent: health costs
• Moderator: age

b) If there is an increase in deposit interest rates, many people decide to save.

• Independent: deposit interest rate
• Dependent: the number of people who save
• Moderator: people do not have much money and the level of trust in banks is low.

c) Motivation with learning achievement will increase if the teacher is able to create a good learning environment.

• Independent: the teacher's role in creating a good learning environment.
• Dependent: motivation and learning achievement.
• Moderator: the teacher is not able to create a good learning environment.

d) Discounts are known to increase the number of sales. However, the existence of bad rumors related to the product caused the discount to not be able to increase the number of sales significantly.

• Independent: discount.
• Dependent: sales amount.
• Moderator: bad rumors regarding the product.

Read: Research variable

Difference Between Intervening Variable and Moderator

Well, that's an explanation regarding intervening and moderating variables along with examples. After reading the explanation above, have you started to get an overview for research? Don't forget to pay close attention to the variables so you don't make a mistake in determining them.