Path Analysis
Path Analysis is one of the statistical analyses applied automatically in MerQur. This page illustrates — on a Health Sciences sample dataset — how the analysis is run, what the MerQur output looks like, and how the result is reported in APA 7 format.
🎯 What is it for?
Path Analysis automatically performs all assumption checks required for the data type (normality, homogeneity of variance, etc.) in the background and presents the results in a clear table + chart. Automatic APA 7-formatted interpretation, effect sizes (Cohen’s d, η², R²) and 95% confidence intervals are reported.
📌 When is it used?
- Statistical analysis of measurements in the Health Sciences domain
- To produce APA 7-compatible result tables for academic publications
- Hypothesis testing and decision-making processes
- Undergraduate / master’s / PhD theses after the appropriate method has been selected
📐 Assumptions
- Appropriate scale — Variables must be at the measurement level required by the analysis (nominal/ordinal/interval/ratio)
- Independent observations — Observations must come from individuals independent of one another
- Sufficient sample size — The minimum n requirement for the analysis must be met
- Outlier check — Outliers must be detected and evaluated
If assumptions are violated, MerQur automatically suggests a non-parametric or robust alternative.
🛠 How to do it in MerQur
Load the data. Select the sample file from File → Open. MerQur auto-detects column types.
Select the analysis. From the left side select Path Analysis.
Panel assignments (form fields in the program):
- Model spec:
tutum ~ bilgi
Optional settings. Effect size ✓ · 95% confidence interval ✓ · Assumption checks (automatic).
▶ Run — click the button. Results are produced automatically as a table + chart.
📄 Export to Word. APA 7-formatted report with italic statistical symbols.
📊 Sample Dataset — Health Sciences
ℹ Note: The scenario, MerQur output and interpretation below were produced by actually running the real example dataset in MerQur. Numeric results on your own data will differ; the goal is to show how the analysis is set up and interpreted end-to-end.
🎬 Example File
This analysis is demonstrated on the following example dataset for Health Sciences:
Tip/52_path_health_behavior.xlsx
🎬 Scenario
We test direct/indirect relationships as a single causal diagram. For a relationship network, path analysis is appropriate.
⚙️ Variable Selection
- Value: behavior ~ info + attitude + intention
- Value: intention ~ attitude
Data Preview (First 5 Rows)
| patient_id | info | attitude | intention | behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 4.46 | 3.98 | 3.21 | 2.84 |
| 2.0 | 4.57 | 3.08 | 2.71 | 2.51 |
| 3.0 | 3.38 | 2.85 | 2.7 | 1.56 |
| 4.0 | 3.1 | 2.47 | 2.25 | 2.18 |
| 5.0 | 4.17 | 3.28 | 3.51 | 3.05 |
n = 220 · Columns: patient_id, info, attitude, intention, behavior
📈 MerQur Output
💬 Interpretation
We tested the direct and indirect relationships among several variables as a single causal diagram. The fit indices (CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.20) show the model fits the data reasonably-to-partially. Path analysis estimates the whole relationship network at once instead of separate regressions; it shows how variables affect each other and a common outcome. In medicine it is used to test health-behavior theories (information -> attitude -> intention -> behavior).
⚠ Common Mistakes
- Misidentifying the data type (e.g., loading a categorical variable as numeric)
- Skipping assumption checks and going straight to the p-value
- Failing to report effect size — APA 7 requires both p and effect size
- Failing to apply a Type I error correction (Bonferroni/Tukey) in multiple comparisons
- Not switching to a non-parametric alternative when n is insufficient
📹 Video Walkthrough
Watch the video below for an end-to-end walkthrough of this analysis on a Health Sciences file.
▶ Path Analysis — video walkthrough
A complete end-to-end walkthrough of this analysis in MerQur, narrated on screen. Narration is in Turkish.
🎓 Education Sciences · 🧪 Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 🏛 Architecture, Planning & Design · ⚙ Engineering · 📊 Social, Humanities & Admin Sciences · 🏃 Sport Sciences · 🌾 Agriculture, Forestry & Aquatic
📚 If You Used This Analysis, Cite MerQur
If you performed this analysis using MerQur in a scientific study, please use the citation below as part of your academic citation obligations (APA 7):
Örücü, Ö. K. (2026). MerQur: Integrated Academic Data Analysis & Reporting Platform [Computer software] (Version 1.0.0). https://doi.org/10.53463/merqur.2026001
For BibTeX, RIS, EndNote and the English citation form: all citation formats →
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
- Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). Sage.
- Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum.