Theory Construction and Research Methodology Methods (TCRM) Workshop 1

Authors: Thomas Ledermann, Myriam Rudaz, Tom Su, Ashley Cooper

Presider: Xiaoran Sun

Summary
This workshop demonstrates how relationship researchers can use Monte Carlo simulation for power estimation and sample size determination for the mediation Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The solution we present asks for the correlations among the variables and allows the specification of skewness and kurtosis. Power estimates are provided for the direct, indirect, and the total effects. The illustration of the mediation APIM reveals that it is not uncommon that some of the simple indirect effects are significant but none of the total indirect effects and none of the total effects. Recommendations are made for studies with small sample sizes.