Data Manipulation
Missing Data Decisions
Missingness is a feature of the measurement and data-collection process that must be investigated.
Page 1 of 7 · Big Picture
The big picture: Missing Data Decisions
What does missingness mean, and what should the analysis do about it?
Why a policy analyst should care
A blank value can mean nonresponse, inapplicability, or a structurally absent event; treating all three alike changes denominators and sometimes changes the estimand.
Follow the idea from the opening question to a practical decision. These are the conceptual moves this module will develop:
1 Question What does missingness mean in this variable?
2 Explore Patterns of missingness carry information
3 Formalize State the rule before analysis
4 Transfer Defend missing-data handling
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