Page 110 - [Uma_Sekaran]_Research_methods_for_business__a_sk(BookZZ.org)

94 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Figure 5.5A
Illustration of the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable when
no moderating variable operates in the situation.

Willingness to learn

Training programs
Growth needs

Intervening Variable
An intervening variable is one that surfaces between the time the independent
variables start operating to influence the dependent variable and the time their
impact is felt on it. There is thus a temporal quality or time dimension to the
intervening variable. The intervening variable surfaces as a function of the inde-
pendent variable(s) operating in any situation, and helps to conceptualize and
explain the influence of the independent variable(s) on the dependent variable.
The following example illustrates this point.

Figure 5.5B
Illustration of the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable when a
moderating variable is operating in the situation.

Effects for those high
in growth needs

Willingness to learn

Effects for those low
in growth needs

Training programs