Elaboration model
= Elaboration model
= Elaboration paradigm
{synonym}
The <elaboration model> compares a pooled <statistical association> with the associations conditional on a third variable. \b[Replication] describes a similar pattern within the strata. \b[Specification] describes a relationship whose size or direction varies between strata. Attenuation can suggest \b[explanation] by an antecedent <confounder>, or \b[interpretation] through an intervening <causal mediator>. These causal readings require justified temporal and causal assumptions; conditional tables alone do not identify the third variable's role.<The Practice of Social Research (13th edition) by Earl Babbie>[Chapter 15, printed p. 448, Table 15-5: relationship patterns and antecedent/intervening test variables]{ref}
Assess the patterns through conditional <probabilities> or comparable <effect sizes>. Different <p-values> also reflect different sample sizes and <standard errors>, so <significant and nonsignificant results need not differ significantly>.