Effects of Total Cost and Group-Size Information on Willingness to Pay Responses: Open Ended vs. Dichotomous Choice

Authors: Bohara A.K.¹; McKee M.¹; Berrens R.P.¹; Jenkins-Smith H.²; Silva C.L.³; Brookshire D.S.¹

Source: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Volume 35, Number 2, March 1998 , pp. 142-163(22)

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Abstract:

This contingent valuation (CV) study investigates the potential of cost-influenced responses in open-ended (OE) and dichotomous choice (DC) formats. For both formats we cross split-sample information treatments to provide: a total cost of the project treatment, a group-size treatment, a combined treatment, and the baseline control group. Investigations are undertaken using a CV survey for a particular environmental good (the "field"), and in an induced value experimental laboratory setting with real payoffs and a context-free, publicly provided good (the "lab"). Results show that DC values are not affected by cost and/or group-size information while the OE values are (negatively) affected. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Economics 2: Department of Economics, Department of Political Science 3: Department of Economics, Department of Political Science, Institute for Public Policy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131

Publication date: 1998-03-01