Complexity Science Seminar Series - Abstracts
Title: Preference Measurement
Presenter:
Kevin J. Boyle, Chair, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 1:30-2:30pm
(Please notice the change in date and time.)
Abstract:
This talk will present two studies on preference measurement; first uses a survey to elicit statements of preferences and the second uses actual behavior to infer preferences.References:
The first research investigated Canadian smokers' preferences for enhanced smoking cessation therapies, nicotine replacement alternatives and Zyban. It also investigated heterogeneity in smokers' preferences for these therapies. The data were collected via internet survey of Canadian smokers who had indicated a desire to quit smoking. It was found that preferences vary by light versus heavy smokers AND among individuals within each group. This implies that a ``one-size-fits all" approach to smoking cessation can not be effective. The patch is the preferred therapy and gum is the least preferred therapy. Light smokers are adverse to longer duration therapies and heavy smokers prefer longer duration therapies. Results suggests considering investing some tobacco settlement funds to improve therapy success rates versus direct interventions with smokers.
The second study investigated household actions to avoid arsenic in drinking water Bangladesh. Also investigated the value of child health relative to parent health. Unitary decision maker and unitary child model, and assumed symmetry of health effects; parent health affects child health and vice versa. Study conducted in the Matlab area of Bangladesh. Water procurer, 75% women, walk 45 minutes one-way to get safe water. Parents value their childrens' health 2.6 times their own. A safe drinking water project in a developing country can be successful.
Preferences for Smoking Cessation by Kevin J. Boyle, Robert Paterson (Industrial Economics) and Christopher Parmeter
Valuation of Avoiding Arsenic in Rural Bangladesh: An Averting Behavior Analysis by Sonia Aziz (Moravian University) and Kevin J. Boyle
Seminar Location: The seminars are held at:
Virginia Tech, Corporate Research Center
1880 Pratt Drive, Building XV
Seminar Room, First Floor
Directions: Map (PDF)
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