Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40145308›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026

A Primer of Data Cleaning in Quantitative Research: Handling Missing Values and Outliers.

Amir Masoud Sharifnia, Daniel Edem Kpormegbey, Deependra Kaji Thapa, Michelle Cleary

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Amir Masoud SharifniaStudent Research Committee, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0874-5763
Daniel Edem KpormegbeyDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1655-8581
Deependra Kaji ThapaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5689-0837
Michelle ClearySchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1453-4850

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsThis paper discusses data errors and offers guidance on data cleaning techniques, with a particular focus on handling missing values and outliers in quantitative datasets. DESIGN AND

methodsMethodological discussion.

resultsThis paper provides an overview of various techniques for identifying and addressing data anomalies, which can arise from incomplete, noisy, and inconsistent data. These anomalies can significantly affect data quality, leading to biased model parameter estimates and evidence-based decisions. Data cleaning, particularly the appropriate handling of missing values and outliers, is essential to improving data quality before analysis. Data cleaning includes screening for anomalies, diagnosing errors, and applying appropriate corrective measures.

conclusionProper handling of missing values and the identification and correction of outliers are crucial aspects of data cleaning in ensuring data quality and the reliability of statistical analyses. Effective data cleaning enhances the validity and accuracy of research findings for evidence-based decision making that leads to optimal patient outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: The quality of study results depends on how a dataset and its complexities are processed or handled before the analysis. Nursing researchers must use a framework to identify and address important data anomalies and produce reliable results. IMPACT: This paper describes data cleaning, often overlooked during the data mining process, as a crucial step before conducting data analysis. By addressing missing values and outliers, identifying and fixing data anomalies, and enhancing data quality prior to analysis, data cleaning techniques can produce precise research findings for evidence-based decision making. REPORTING

methodIn this methodological paper, no new data were generated. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Indexed as

Data AccuracyData MiningNursing ResearchResearch DesignData Interpretation, StatisticalHumansReproducibility of Resultsdata cleaningdata preparationinconsistent valuesmissing valuesoutliersquantitative research

Identifiers

PMID40145308
PMCPMC12721946

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.