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Imputation methods for handling item-nonresponse in practice: methodological issues and recent debates

Imputation methods for handling item-nonresponse in practice: methodological issues and recent debates
Imputation methods for handling item-nonresponse in practice: methodological issues and recent debates
Nonresponse is a major problem often faced by social scientists when analysing survey data. A range exists to impute the missing responses but the choice between these methods may be difficult. This paper reviews advantages and disadvantages of a range of imputation methods and provides guidance on how to use such methods in practice.

The paper introduces the reader new to the imputation literature to key ideas and methods. For those already familiar with imputation, the paper highlights some new developments and recent debates. The paper discusses an example from the social sciences, applying several imputation methods to a missing earnings variable. The objective is to illustrate in a real data example basic considerations when choosing between methods and to advise practitioners in the use of such methods.
item-nonresponse, fractional imputation, multiple imputation, hot deck imputation
1364-5579
293-304
Durrant, Gabriele B.
14fcc787-2666-46f2-a097-e4b98a210610
Durrant, Gabriele B.
14fcc787-2666-46f2-a097-e4b98a210610

Durrant, Gabriele B. (2009) Imputation methods for handling item-nonresponse in practice: methodological issues and recent debates. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 12 (4), 293-304. (doi:10.1080/13645570802394003).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Nonresponse is a major problem often faced by social scientists when analysing survey data. A range exists to impute the missing responses but the choice between these methods may be difficult. This paper reviews advantages and disadvantages of a range of imputation methods and provides guidance on how to use such methods in practice.

The paper introduces the reader new to the imputation literature to key ideas and methods. For those already familiar with imputation, the paper highlights some new developments and recent debates. The paper discusses an example from the social sciences, applying several imputation methods to a missing earnings variable. The objective is to illustrate in a real data example basic considerations when choosing between methods and to advise practitioners in the use of such methods.

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IntJSRM_Durrant_imputation_methods_final_version.pdf - Author's Original
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More information

Published date: October 2009
Keywords: item-nonresponse, fractional imputation, multiple imputation, hot deck imputation
Organisations: Social Statistics

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 150787
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/150787
ISSN: 1364-5579
PURE UUID: e4c55cf6-e29d-459f-9d22-60a667e9d0b2

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Date deposited: 06 May 2010 13:13
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 01:18

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