Level-2 variance be zero
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 7:09 am
I'm running a simulation study on missing data in multilevel data sets. I generate full data sets first according to a random intercept substantive analysis model and then induce missingness. I generate a continuous response in level-1, 3 categorical predictors in level-1 and 2 categorical predictors in level-2. The cluster level variance was set to be either 0.05 or 0.1 or 0.2 in simulations. I generate 1000 data sets for the simulation study. After generating the full data sets, I fitted the substantive analysis model to each of them. The problem I'm having is that in some data sets, the level-2 variance become zero. I assume this is due to the randomness and the small values used for the cluster level variance.
My question: My concern is on missing data, so, is it wrong if I use these data sets for a simulation study?
Thanks in advance.
My question: My concern is on missing data, so, is it wrong if I use these data sets for a simulation study?
Thanks in advance.