Feature screening for ultrahigh dimensional categorical data with covariates missing at random

Most existing feature screening methods assume that data are fully observed. It is quite a challenge to develop screening methods for incomplete data since the traditional missing data analysis techniques cannot be directly applied to ultrahigh dimensional case. A two-step model-free feature screening procedure for ultrahigh dimensional categorical data when some covariate values are missing at random is developed. For each covariate with missing data, the first step screens out the variables in the unspecified propensity function. In the second step, screening statistics such as the adjusted Pearson Chi-Square statistics can be calculated by leveraging the variables obtained in the first step and the special structure of categorical data. Sure screening properties are established for the proposed method. Finite sample performance is investigated by simulation studies and a real data example. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.