Ask a Hypothetical Question, Get a Valuable Answer?

Christopher D. Azevedo, Joseph A. Herriges, Catherine L. Kling
December 2000  [00-WP 260]

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Suggested citation:

Azevedo, C.D., J.A. Herriges, and C.L. Kling. 2000. "Ask a Hypothetical Question, Get a Valuable Answer?" Working paper 00-WP 260. Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University.


Abstract

The authors model the recreation demand for Iowa wetlands, combining survey data on both actual usage patterns (i.e., revealed preferences) and anticipated changes to those patterns under hypothetical increases in trip costs (i.e., stated preferences). They formulate and test specific hypotheses concerning potential sources of bias in each data type and consistently reject consistency between the two data sources, both in terms of implied wetland values and underlying preference parameters. The authors pay careful attention to the interpretations of the test results, noting particularly how the interpretation of the same results can vary with the "school of thought" of the reader.