A blank material field and a recorded numeric value should not become indistinguishable accidentally. The fact that information is missing may itself matter to a model.
Scikit-learn provides imputation tools and options for representing missing-value indicators. Scikit-learn — impute.
Investigate why data is absent
For a supplier record, missing information may reflect collection practice rather than a material property. Review that mechanism before allowing the model to learn a shortcut from it.
Keep the interpretation modest
A missingness feature can improve a prediction without explaining the underlying product. Evaluate the approach on suitable data and monitor changes in how staff complete the fields. Better form completion can alter the pattern a model relied upon.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Interpretation and original diagrams: PLUSHIP / Qunhe. Examples are illustrative.
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