Missing Data Reporting Practices: Surveying the Internationalization Literature

• In Event: Comparative Education

Abstract

The issue of missing data is inescapable in quantitative research, yet it does not always receive adequate attention from researchers. Researchers should report possible reasons why data are missing and justify their methods for handling missing data since inappropriate methods can lead to imprecise conclusions. This paper reviews missing data reporting practices within the internationalization of higher education literature to determine how often researchers explicitly address missing data. Among the 35 sampled studies, only 13 addressed missing data and only one used a modern method endorsed by missing data researchers, indicating the need to improve reporting practices. This paper discusses guidelines for reporting missing data and includes a simple example to illustrate the importance of choosing appropriate methods.

Authors

• Keanen McKinley, Old Dominion University

• Christopher M. Swoboda, University of Cincinnati