An HR manager in a factory conducted an analysis of the relationship between duration of production line staff lunch breaks (measured in minutes daily) and staff productivity (measured by increased number of products produced per day). He had found that there was a positive relationship between the predictor and the outcome variable. However when he introduced the variable consumption of sugary snacks (measured by number consumed per lunch break) he found that the strength of the original relationship weakened. How might he now summarise the relationship between lunch break duration and staff productivity
A) It has an indirect effect mediated by sugary snack intake
B) It has a direct effect mediated by sugary snack intake
C) It has no effect at all
D) It has no significant relationship.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The introduction of sugary snack intake as a variable that weakens the original positive relationship between lunch break duration and staff productivity suggests that sugary snack intake may be mediating the relationship. This means the effect of lunch break duration on productivity is at least partially explained by the consumption of sugary snacks during the break.

An HR Manager in a Factory Conducted an Analysis of the Relationship