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Hypothesis Testing and Multiplicative Interaction Terms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2004

Bear F. Braumoeller
Bear F. Braumoeller
Affiliation:
Bear F. Braumoeller is Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Abstract

When a statistical equation incorporates a multiplicative term in an attempt to model interaction effects, the statistical significance of the lower-order coefficients is largely useless for the typical purposes of hypothesis testing. This fact remains largely unappreciated in political science, however. This brief article explains this point, provides examples, and offers some suggestions for more meaningful interpretation.I am grateful to Tim McDaniel, Anne Sartori, and Beth Simmons for comments on a previous draft.

Type
RESEARCH NOTE
Information
International Organization , Volume 58 , Issue 4 , October 2004 , pp. 807 - 820
Copyright
© 2004 The IO Foundation and Cambridge University Press

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References

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