title: [On the problem of missing data: How to identify and reduce the impact of missing data on findings of data analysis].
abstract: The impact of missing data on the analysis of empirical data is a frequently unrecognized problem. Missing data may not only result in a decrease in the actual sample size but potentially biasing effects on statistical findings have to be considered as well. Two important points are made in this article: Firstly, it is shown why the identification of potential causes of missing data should be an inherent part of any data analysis; secondly, the handling of missing data should be based on appropriate assumptions in order to avoid biased results and problems concerning the interpretation of empirical findings.
authors.affiliation: Methodenzentrum des Rehabilitationswissenschaftlichen Forschungsverbunds Freiburg/Bad Säckingen, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg. wirtz@psychologie.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirtz
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018401:Sample Size; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016008:Statistical Distributions