[BlindMath] Mediation analysis, structure equation modelling, and amos.

[Godfrey, Jonathan]

Hello,

The list archive has plenty of my comments about the accessibility of software, including SPSS. In brief, I suggest its use when (and only when) there is suitable support on hand to assist a student find what is needed and to then walk the blind person through the (numerous) keyboard clicks that are needed to get even simple jobs done. 

Personally, and professionally, I would not use SPSS because I work independently and have much better things to do with my time than to fight with inconvenient, moderately accessible software. I do not recommend SPSS to any blind person working independently or with limited sighted support.

My trusty search of Wikipedia for the term "mediation analysis" took me to a useful page where I learned:
" In statistics, a mediation model is one that seeks to identify and explain the mechanism or process that underlies an observed relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable via the inclusion of a third hypothetical variable, known as a mediator variable (also a mediating variable, intermediary variable, or intervening variable).[1] Rather than a direct causal relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable, a mediation model proposes that the independent variable influences the (non-observable) mediator variable, which in turn influences the dependent variable. Thus, the mediator variable serves to clarify the nature of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.[2]"

Further down the page it showed me the basics of mediation analysis, and I now know it is just a precursor to structural equation modelling which also appears in Feiz's original request. It is perhaps the simplest form of SEM, and is just a series of simple linear regression models.

I therefore conclude that because SEM can be done within R, that Feiz could therefore use R to complete the course if the support for SPSS is insufficient.

Cheers,
Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of faiz rasool via BlindMath
Sent: Monday, 8 January 2018 9:26 p.m.
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
Cc: faiz rasool <faiz7r at gmail.com>
Subject: [BlindMath] Mediation analysis, structure equation modeling, and amos.

Hello all,

I need to perform mediation analysis and analyse data using structure equation analysis.

I have IBm spss statistics. I  have found that mediation analysis and structure equation modeling is possible with IBm amos.

Anyone has any experience of using amos? is it accessible?

If not IBm products, will any other software help me to do what I want?

The data analysis is for my dissertation, so, my end goal will be to have the results of analysis in ms. word so the tables can be pasted in the dissertation document.

Any suggestions, sharing of experience will be most appreciated.

Regards,
Faiz.

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