Missing Data Reporting and Handling in Special Education Group Intervention Research

We conducted a systematic review of missing data handling and reporting in a 1-year cross-section (2020) of group design special education intervention research. We identified 121 intervention studies. Of these 72 (60%) reported missing data at the case, variable, or item level. Few studies examined the mechanism underlying their missing data and most handled the missingness with either complete case analysis (listwise) or pairwise deletion. We discuss the implications of these findings and offer recommendations for improved reporting and handling methods.

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Publication Details

Journal
Exceptional Children
Published
2026-02-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029251410299
Primary Topic
Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Missing Data Reporting and Handling in Special Education Group Intervention Research

Daniel R. Espinas, Allyson L. Hanson, Jessica A. R. Logan, Alexis Swanz
Exceptional Children
Behavioral and Psychological Studies
article

Missing Data Reporting and Handling in Special Education Group Intervention Research

Daniel R. Espinas, Allyson L. Hanson, Jessica A. R. Logan, Alexis Swanz
article en

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of missing data handling and reporting in a 1-year cross-section (2020) of group design special education intervention research. We identified 121 intervention studies. Of these 72 (60%) reported missing data at the case, variable, or item level. Few studies examined the mechanism underlying their missing data and most handled the missingness with either complete case analysis (listwise) or pairwise deletion. We discuss the implications of these findings and offer recommendations for improved reporting and handling methods.

Exceptional Children
George Mason University (US), Vanderbilt University (US)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Behavioral and Psychological Studies
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