Introduction to causal mediation analysis using R

Teppei Yamamoto, Ph.D.
MIT

ABSTRACT:
Researchers often seek to study not only whether a treatment has a causal effect on an outcome but also how and why such a causal relationship comes about. Causal mediation analysis is a popular method to analyze causal mechanisms using experimental or observational data. In this webinar, we provide an overview of the theoretical framework underpinning the mediation methods and discuss assumptions that play a key role for valid inference about causal mechanisms. We also cover practical issues in using the framework for social, behavioral and medical science applications. A particular focus will be on the R package mediation and how to use it in various applied setting.