Endogenous Consequentiality In Stated Preference Referendum Data: The Influence Of The Randomly Assigned Tax Amount

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
John Whitehead Ph.D., Professor & Department Chair (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: Recent empirical and theoretical research stresses it is important for survey respondents to believe that survey votes are consequential, meaning their votes can potentially influence whether a proposed policy is undertaken. We test the effect of a randomly assigned referendum tax on consequentiality, using a survey about water conservation in western North Carolina. We find that consequentiality is endogenous to hypothetical referendum responses. Specifically, as the assigned tax amount increases, respondents are less likely to find the survey consequential. As in related studies, respondents who self-report they perceive the survey to be consequential have a higher willingness to pay.

Additional Information

Publication
Groothuis, Peter A. & Mohr, Tanga M. & Whitehead, John C. & Cockerill, Kristan. "Endogenous Consequentiality in Stated Preference Referendum Data: The Influence of the Randomly Assigned Tax Amount." Land Economics, vol. 93 no. 2, 2017, pp. 258-268. Publisher version of record available at: http://le.uwpress.org/content/93/2/258.full.pdf+html
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
consequentiality, economics, inherent bias, social sciences

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