ERIC Number: EJ933089
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1070-5511
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
On Testability of Missing Data Mechanisms in Incomplete Data Sets
Raykov, Tenko
Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, v18 n3 p419-429 2011
This article is concerned with the question of whether the missing data mechanism routinely referred to as missing completely at random (MCAR) is statistically examinable via a test for lack of distributional differences between groups with observed and missing data, and related consequences. A discussion is initially provided, from a formal logic standpoint, of the distinction between necessary conditions and sufficient conditions. This distinction is used to argue then that testing for lack of these group distributional differences is not a test for MCAR, and an example is given. The view is next presented that the desirability of MCAR has been frequently overrated in empirical research. The article is finalized with a reference to principled, likelihood-based methods for analyzing incomplete data sets in social and behavioral research. (Contains 3 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Probability, Structural Equation Models, Statistical Distributions, Simulation, Validity, Tests
Psychology Press. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A