Inference and Missing Data

ABSTRACT Two results are presented concerning inference when data may be missing. First, ignoring the process that causes missing data when making sampling distribution inferences about the parameter of the data, θ, is generally appropriate if and only if the missing data are “missing at random” and the observed data are “observed at random,” and then such inferences are generally conditional on the observed pattern of missing data. Second, ignoring the process that causes missing data when making Bayesian inferences about θ is generally appropriate if and only if the missing data are missing at random and the parameter of the missing data is “independent” of θ. Examples and discussion indicating the implications of these results are included.