Survey Methodology
Multiple imputation for nonresponse in surveys using design weights and auxiliary margins

by Kewei Xu and Jerome P. ReiterNote 1

  • Release date: June 29, 2026
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Abstract

Survey data typically have missing values due to unit and item nonresponse. Sometimes, survey organizations know the marginal distributions of certain categorical variables in the target population. As shown in previous work, survey organizations can leverage these distributions in multiple imputation for nonignorable unit nonresponse, generating imputations that result in plausible completed-data estimates for the variables with known margins. However, this prior work does not use the design weights for unit nonrespondents. We extend this previous work to utilize the design weights for all sampled units. We illustrate the approach using simulation studies.

Key Words: Item; Missing; Nonignorable; Unit.

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How to cite

Xu, K. and Reiter, J.P. (2026). Multiple imputation for nonresponse in surveys using design weights and auxiliary margins. Survey Methodology, 52(1), 259-270. Available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/2026001/article/00002-eng.pdf.

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ISSN : 1492-0921

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2026

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue No. 12-001-X

Frequency: Semi-annual

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