Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Applying an eMASS Customization Program as a Research Tool to Evaluate Consumer Benefits
Published on: September 27, 2019
SPSS and SAS programming for the testing of mediation models
William N Dudley1, Jose G Benuzillo, Mineh S Carrico
1Emma Eccels Jones Nursing Research Center, College of Nursing, University of Utah, USA.
Background:
Mediation modeling can explain the nature of the relation among three or more variables. In addition, it can be used to show how a variable mediates the relation between levels of intervention and outcome. The Sobel test, developed in 1990, provides a statistical method for determining the influence of a mediator on an intervention or outcome. Although interactive Web-based and stand-alone methods exist for computing the Sobel test, SPSS and SAS programs that automatically run the required regression analyses and computations increase the accessibility of mediation modeling to nursing researchers.
Objectives:
To illustrate the utility of the Sobel test and to make this programming available to the Nursing Research audience in both SAS and SPSS.
Methods:
The history, logic, and technical aspects of mediation testing are introduced. The syntax files sobel.sps and sobel.sas, created to automate the computation of the regression analysis and test statistic, are available from the corresponding author.
Results:
The reported programming allows the user to complete mediation testing with the user's own data in a single-step fashion. A technical manual included with the programming provides instruction on program use and interpretation of the output.
Conclusion:
Mediation modeling is a useful tool for describing the relation between three or more variables. Programming and manuals for using this model are made available.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: ANOVA
One-way ANOVA is applied when a single independent variable or factor is scrutinized. It compares the...
Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: Student t-Test and Goodness-of-Fit Test
The Student's t-test is a statistical test that examines if there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two groups. This test is instrumental when dealing with data...
Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
SPSS streamlines the process from data preparation to analysis and reporting. It is characterized by its user-friendly interface, which conceals...
Statistical Analysis System (SAS)
Applications: SAS finds applications in numerous fields, including healthcare for clinical trial analysis, finance for risk assessment, marketing for customer data analysis, and...
Methods of Medium Optimization

