Airbag moderation: the definition and statistical implementation of a new methodological model

Journal article

This paper presents a new methodological model termed Airbag Moderation: That the relationship between two variables varies as a function of a third, and that this third variable depends upon one of the others. Airbag Moderation extends and bridges a number of theories and it can be implemented using existing statistical models and software packages. Airbag Moderation is more suitable than Moderation for conceptualizing and testing a range of theories, interventions, and policies across educational, social, and behavioural research. An empirical example demonstrates the effectiveness of UK Sure Start Children’s Centres as an intervention in the context of financial disadvantage and the internalizing behaviours of preschoolers. Parallel statistical implementation follows via two Structural Equation Models featuring either a statistical interaction term or a random coefficient. Both indicate that greater use of a Children’s Centre is a significant Airbag Moderator of the relationship between financial disadvantage and internalizing behaviours in preschoolers.

Authors: Hall, J; Malmberg, L; Lindorff, A; Baumann, N; Sammons, P

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Journal: International Journal of Research and Method in Education
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 379-394
• Publication date: 2020-03-01
• Acceptance date: 2020-01-31
• DOI: 10.1080/1743727X.2020.1735334
• EISSN: 1743-7288
• ISSN: 1743-727X
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR