Learning and Fatigue in Real Discrete Choice Experiments

Abstract

A key validity assumption of presenting multiple choice sets in discrete choice experiments (DCEs) is preference consistency. Previous research shows this assumption may not always hold due to the learning and fatigue effects, but primarily in hypothetical DCEs. We examine these effects in three separate datasets featuring a real DCE with a hypothetical DCE conducted within the same research context. Our results find no significant learning and fatigue effects and observe no significant difference between hypothetical and real DCEs. Thus, such effects are not always present and may not be attributed to the hypothetical or repeated nature of a DCE.