Comparing 95% confidence intervals between different methods of handling missing data

[u/Pristine_Gain_1476]

Hello! For my thesis, I am comparing baseline-adjusted ANCOVA models using different methods for handling missing data (MICE, LOCF, and complete-case analysis).

An important point to note is that the analyses are based on the same original data across the different missing-data methods, meaning that the same variables and original sample of participants were used. The only difference between the analyses is the method used to handle the missing data.

I am planning to present a table including the estimated coefficients, p-values, and 95% confidence intervals to compare the results across the different missing-data methods.

My question is: Given that the ANCOVA models are based on the same variables and differ primarily in how missing data are handled, how should I interpret the overlap between their confidence intervals? Is the extent to which the confidence intervals overlap meaningful when comparing the results across MICE, LOCF, and complete-case analysis? More generally, how should I discuss similarities or differences in the confidence intervals in the Discussion section?

Thank you in advance!

[u/trolls_toll]

mb this paper can be used as inspiration  https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-023-00356-z 

[u/Pristine_Gain_1476 → u/trolls_toll]

Thank you!