The document discusses methods for handling missing responses in survey data, highlighting three approaches: removing non-responses, replacing missing values with mean/median/mode, and using multiple imputation. It emphasizes the importance of assessing the scope of missing data and considering committee preferences before deciding on a method. Additionally, it offers consulting services for dissertation support.

1. How to Deal with Missing
Responses
Justin D’Souza
Quantitative Specialist

2. Table of
Contents
Statistics Solutions Services
How to Deal With Missing Response
SPSS Demo
Summary
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3. Services Offered
by Statistics
Solutions
• Topic Development
• Prospectus or Concept Papers
• Introduction Chapter
• Literature Review Chapter (identifying articles)
• Methodology Chapter (Quantitative/Qualitative).
• IRB forms
• Data entry templates
• Survey Monkey upload
• Results Chapter (Quantitative/Qualitative)
• Discussion Chapter
• Powerpoints for Defense
• Journal Publications
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4. Three Methods
 1) Remove non-responses altogether - can try avoiding this by
making every question mandatory in an online survey.
 2) Median, mean, mode replacement - swaps the missing values
with the mean, median, or mode of each variable.
 3) Multiple imputation – uses regression models to predict
missing values.
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5. Method 1:
Removing
Non-Responses
 If participants do not respond to a majority of the questionnaire, you can
consider removing these non-responses altogether.
 This is the method to follow if you far exceed the minimum sample size
target for your research and you have room to eliminate cases.
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6. Method 2:
Replacing
Missing
Values with
Mean/Median
 Can consider using mean, median, or mode replacement.
 Mean replacement can be used for continuous-level variables.
 Median replacement can be used for ordinal-level variables.
 Mode replacement can be used for nominal-level variables.
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7. Method 3:
Multiple
Imputation
 Multiple imputation is a more complex procedure that can be used to predict
missing responses.
 Need to have a more advanced version of SPSS to run multiple imputation.
Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

8. Summary
 Before running any analyses, scan the dataset to identify how many missing
responses you are dealing with.
 Create a list of how many responses are missing.
 Determine if committee members have a preference for how to deal with
missing responses.
 Eliminate missing cases, use mean/median/mode replacement, or use
multiple imputation.
Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

9. Additional
Support
Statistics Solutions is a full-service dissertation consulting
company providing graduate students timely, editorial
support for their dissertations and scholarly projects
For information about our services, receive a
complementary 30-min consultation available Mon-Fri 9-5
ET
Contact us at info@statisticssolutions.com
Phone: 727-442-4290