title: Development of a bias ratio to examine factors influencing hypothetical bias.
abstract: Using data from three contingent valuation studies, this study investigates if socio-economic factors and the type of good being valued can help explain changes in respondents' answers. A bias ratio, defined as the ratio of respondents who change their choice under hypothetical and "real" settings, is developed to help explain changes in respondents' answers. Marginal changes in the bias ratio resulting from a change in a particular independent variable consist of changes in responses in both the hypothetical and real situation. Results provide limited evidence that socio-economic variables and type of good being study can help in explaining bias. Respondents who are older, have a higher level of education, and are environmentally conscious tend to show less bias. Familiarity with the good also tend to decrease bias. A large amount of the variation in bias, however, remains unexplained.
authors: Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2124, USA. j-mjelde@tamu.edu
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Mjelde
authors: Yanhong H
authors: YH
authors: Jin
authors: Choong-Ki
authors: CK
authors: Lee
authors: Tae-Kyun
authors: TK
authors: Kim
authors: Sang-Yoel
authors: SY
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015588:Observer Variation; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors