Power analysis for conditional indirect effects: A tutorial for conducting Monte Carlo simulations with categorical exogenous variables

Abstract

Conceptual and statistical models that include conditional indirect effects (i.e., so-called “moderated mediation” models) are increasingly popular in the behavioral sciences. Although there is ample guidance in the literature for how to specify and test such models, there is scant advice regarding how to best design studies for such purposes, and this especially includes techniques for sample size planning (i.e., “power analysis”). In this paper, we discuss challenges in sample size planning for moderated mediation models and offer a tutorial for conducting Monte Carlo simulations in the specific case where one has categorical exogenous variables. Such a scenario is commonly faced when one is considering testing conditional indirect effects in experimental research, wherein the (assumed) predictor and moderator variables are manipulated factors and the (assumed) mediator and outcome variables are observed/measured variables. To support this effort, we offer example data and reproducible R code that constitutes a “toolkit” to make up for limitations in other software and aid researchers in the design of research to test moderated mediation models.