What type of mediation indicates that the independent variable's effect on the dependent variable is completely mediated by another variable?

Full mediation is the correct choice because it signifies that the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is entirely accounted for by a third variable, referred to as the mediator. In this scenario, the independent variable influences the mediator, which then affects the dependent variable. Consequently, the direct effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable becomes insignificant when controlling for the mediator, demonstrating that the mediator fully explains the relationship.

Understanding full mediation is crucial in research as it helps clarify how and why certain variables are related. In contrast, other concepts such as partial mediation would suggest that while the mediator explains some of the relationship, there remains a direct effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Moderation, on the other hand, refers to a situation where the strength or direction of the relationship between two variables changes depending on the level of a third variable, and conversation analysis pertains to a qualitative research method focusing on the structure and management of conversational interactions, which is unrelated to the mediation concept.