![Example of the missing data problem, showing various fish sizes and ocean depth chart](https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/SC%20Cover.png?itok=TgW6H_iW)
Statistical Tools Help Solve a Challenge in Biology
Researchers develop a strategy for analyzing incomplete data sets
Missing data is a common and challenging problem in a broad range of scientific studies. This is particularly true in the analyses of real-world data. For example, in the study of biological systems it is difficult to completely sample a population with a wide variety of traits (characteristics like body size, age and habitat). It is impossible to sample everything, and missing data is almost inevitable.