Non significant interaction but significant simple effects

[Megz]

Hi All

I am doing honours in psychology in Australia (similar to a dissertation in the USA I think) and have run into an issue with my analysis.

I have a mixed model (between by within) ANOVA and have significant main effects but no significant interactions.

However, I do have significant simple effects and am wondering why this might be the case?

[omega]

The mixed model ANOVA is a type of two-way ANOVA. Interaction refers to the way in which a category of one independent variable combines with a category of the other independent variable to produce an effect on the dependent variable that goes beyond the sum of the separate effects. It questions whether the effect of one independent variable is consistent for all levels of a second independent variable.

In your case the interaction is not significant, thus the effect of one independent variable is consistent for all levels of a second independent variable. The main effects are significant, indicating that each independent variable has a significant effect on the dependent varaible.