The elaboration model investigates the impact of other variables on the relationship observed initially- having observed an empirical relationship between two variables, we try to look for other variables to see whether they produce the effects on the observed relationship. The possible outcomes of an elaboration analysis are replication, explanation, interpretation, and specification.

Steps of doing elaboration model:

1. Use the test variable or control variable to divide sample into subsets - partial tables: the relationships found in the partial tables are called the partial relationships or partials.

2. Compare the zero-order relationship (initial relationship discovered in the total sample) and the partial relationships.

Interpretation in the textbook example talks about mediating effect, but it seems to be the interaction to me - needs to pay more attention to it.