path analysis

Path analysis is a statistical tool used to understand and clarify how different variables are related. It helps identify direct and indirect connections—showing how one factor might influence another directly or through a third variable. Imagine it as mapping out a flowchart of relationships, where arrows represent causal influences. This method allows researchers to test hypotheses about the strength and significance of these pathways, providing insights into complex systems, such as how education affects income directly and indirectly through skills or experience. Overall, path analysis helps unravel the underlying structure of observed relationships in data.