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What are common techniques for handling missing data in a dataset?
Asked on Jan 25, 2026
Answer
Handling missing data is a crucial step in data preprocessing, as it can significantly impact the performance of machine learning models. Common techniques include imputation, deletion, and using algorithms that support missing values. Each method has its own advantages and is chosen based on the dataset's characteristics and the analysis goals.
Example Concept: Imputation is a widely used technique for handling missing data, where missing values are replaced with substituted values. Common imputation methods include mean, median, or mode imputation for numerical data, and using the most frequent category for categorical data. More advanced techniques involve predictive modeling, such as using k-nearest neighbors (KNN) or regression models to estimate missing values based on other available data.
Additional Comment:
- Deletion methods, such as listwise or pairwise deletion, can be used when the proportion of missing data is small and randomly distributed.
- Algorithms like decision trees and certain ensemble methods can handle missing values internally without imputation.
- It's essential to analyze the pattern and mechanism of missingness (MCAR, MAR, MNAR) to choose the appropriate handling technique.
- Consider using multiple imputation to account for the uncertainty associated with missing data.
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