<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Weighting methods are commonly used in situations of unit nonresponse with linked register data. However, several arguments in terms of valid inference and practical usability can be made against the use of weighting methods in these situations. Imputation methods such as sample and mass imputation may be suitable alternatives, as they lead to valid inference in situations of item nonresponse and have some practical advantages. In a simulation study, sample and mass imputation were compared to traditional weighting when dealing with unit nonresponse in linked register data. Methods were compared on their bias and coverage in different scenarios. Both, sample and mass imputation, had better coverage than traditional weighting in all scenarios.</p><p>Imputation methods can therefore be recommended over weighting as they also have practical advantages, such as that estimates outside the observed data distribution can be created and that many auxiliary variables can be taken into account. The use of sample or mass imputation depends on the specific data structure.</p></abstract>

Weighting methods are commonly used in situations of unit nonresponse with linked register data. However, several arguments in terms of valid inference and practical usability can be made against the use of weighting methods in these situations. Imputation methods such as sample and mass imputation may be suitable alternatives, as they lead to valid inference in situations of item nonresponse and have some practical advantages. In a simulation study, sample and mass imputation were compared to traditional weighting when dealing with unit nonresponse in linked register data. Methods were compared on their bias and coverage in different scenarios. Both, sample and mass imputation, had better coverage than traditional weighting in all scenarios.Imputation methods can therefore be recommended over weighting as they also have practical advantages, such as that estimates outside the observed data distribution can be created and that many auxiliary variables can be taken into account. The use of sample or mass imputation depends on the specific data structure.

How to Obtain Valid Inference under Unit Nonresponse?

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Journal of Official Statistics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"How to Obtain Valid Inference under Unit Nonresponse?"}

Weighting methods are commonly used in situations of unit nonresponse with linked register data. However, several arguments in terms of valid inference and...

How to Obtain Valid Inference under Unit Nonresponse?

Published Online: Nov 18, 2017

Page range: 963 - 978

Received: Nov 01, 2015

Accepted: Mar 01, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jos-2017-0045

Keywords
Weighting, mass imputation, sample imputation, coverage

© 2017 Laura Boeschoten et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

How to Obtain Valid Inference under Unit Nonresponse?

Published Online: Nov 18, 2017

Page range: 963 - 978

Received: Nov 01, 2015

Accepted: Mar 01, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jos-2017-0045

KeywordsWeighting, mass imputation, sample imputation, coverage

© 2017 Laura Boeschoten et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Weighting, mass imputation, sample imputation, coverage