Modeling Hidden Alternatives in Random Utility Models: An Application to "Don't Know" Responses in Contingent Valuation
开发了一种含缺失信息的多项logit模型，用于检验随机效用模型中的隐藏替代项，并将条件估值中的“不知道”回答概率性地重新分配为“是”或“否”，发现大量“不知道”实为“否”。
<i>We develop a multinomial logit model with missing information that can be used to test for hidden alternatives in random utility models and contingent valuation analysis. To illustrate our latent-choice technique, we focus on the “don’t know” responses in dichotomous choice contingent valuation questions. In this version of the latent-choice model, we probabilistically reassign “don’t know” responses to either the “yes” or “no” categories (or leave them in the “don’t know” category), if indicated by the data. We find that in our two studies a statistically significant number of the “don’t know” responses are actually “no” responses.</i>