Modelling attribute non-attendance in choice experiments for rural landscape valuation

Citation

Scarpa R, Gilbride TJ, Campbell D & Hensher DA (2009) Modelling attribute non-attendance in choice experiments for rural landscape valuation. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 36 (2), pp. 151-174. https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbp012

Abstract
Non-market effects of agriculture are often estimated using discrete choice models from stated preference surveys. In this context we propose two ways of modelling attribute non-attendance. The first involves constraining coefficients to zero in a latent class framework, whereas the second is based on stochastic attribute selection and grounded in Bayesian estimation. Their implications are explored in the context of a stated preference survey designed to value landscapes in Ireland. Taking account of attribute non-attendance with these data improves fit and tends to involve two attributes one of which is likely to be cost, thereby leading to substantive changes in derived welfare estimates.

Keywords
attribute non-attendance; discrete choice modelling; stated preference; latent class models; stochastic attribute selection models

Journal
European Review of Agricultural Economics: Volume 36, Issue 2