Moderator effects differ on alternative effect-size measures

Behav Res Methods. 2017 Apr;49(2):747-757. doi: 10.3758/s13428-016-0735-z.

Abstract

This paper discusses largely ignored issues regarding moderation of effect-sizes. We show that, under commonly-occurring conditions, popular alternatives for effect-size measures in ANOVA and multiple regression are not moderated identically across independent samples. Effects may appear to be unmoderated according to one effect-size measure but not according to another, or may even be moderated in opposite directions. We identify the conditions under which differential effect-size moderation can occur, and show that they are commonplace. We then review techniques for detecting and dealing with differential moderation of alternative effect-size measures. Finally, we discuss implications for research practice, reporting, replication, and meta-analysis.

Keywords: ANOVA; Cohen’s d; Effect size; Moderator; Partial correlation; Regression; Regression coefficient; Replication; Semi-partial correlation.

MeSH terms

  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Humans
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Regression Analysis