We found a continuing trend towards conducting DCEs across a broader range of countries .
However , the trend towards including fewer attributes was reversed , whilst the trend towards interview-based DCEs reversed because of increased computer administration .
The trend towards using more flexible econometric models , including mixed logit and latent class , has also continued .
Reporting of monetary values has fallen compared with earlier periods , but the proportion of studies estimating trade-offs between health outcomes and experience factors , or valuing outcomes in terms of utility scores , has increased , although use of odds ratios and probabilities has declined .
The reassuring trend towards the use of more flexible and appropriate DCE design s and econometric methods has been reinforced by the increased use of qualitative methods to inform DCE processes and results .
However , qualitative research methods are being used less often to inform attribute selection , which may make DCEs more susceptible to omitted variable bias if the decision framework is not known prior to the research project .
Background Discrete choice experiments ( DCEs ) are increasingly used in health economics to address a wide range of health policy-related concerns .
Objective Broadly adopting the methodology of an earlier systematic review of health-related DCEs , which covered the period 2001–2008 , we report whether earlier trends continued during 2009–2012 .
Deleting 'irrational' responses from discrete choice experiments: a case of investigating or imposing preferences?
Investigation of the ' rationality ' of responses to discrete choice experiments ( DCEs ) has been a theme of research in health economics . Responses have been deleted from DCEs where they have been deemed by research ers to ( a ) be ' irrational ' , defined by such studies as failing tests for non-satiation , or ( b ) represent lexicographic preferences . This paper outlines a number of reasons why deleting responses from DCEs may be inappropriate after first review ing the theory underpinning rationality , highlighting that the importance placed on rationality depends on the approach to consumer theory to which one ascribes . The aim of this paper is not to suggest that all preferences elicited via DCEs are rational . Instead , it is to suggest a number of reasons why it may not be the case that all preferences labelled as ' irrational ' are indeed so . Hence , deleting responses may result in the removal of valid preferences ; induce sample selection bias ; and reduce the statistical efficiency and power of the estimated choice models . Further , evidence suggests r and om utility theory may be able to cope with such preferences . Finally , we discuss a number of implication s for the design , implementation and interpretation of DCEs and recommend caution regarding the deletion of preferences from stated preference experiments
We found a continuing trend towards conducting DCEs across a broader range of countries .
However , the trend towards including fewer attributes was reversed , whilst the trend towards interview-based DCEs reversed because of increased computer administration .
The trend towards using more flexible econometric models , including mixed logit and latent class , has also continued .
Reporting of monetary values has fallen compared with earlier periods , but the proportion of studies estimating trade-offs between health outcomes and experience factors , or valuing outcomes in terms of utility scores , has increased , although use of odds ratios and probabilities has declined .
The reassuring trend towards the use of more flexible and appropriate DCE design s and econometric methods has been reinforced by the increased use of qualitative methods to inform DCE processes and results .
However , qualitative research methods are being used less often to inform attribute selection , which may make DCEs more susceptible to omitted variable bias if the decision framework is not known prior to the research project .
Background Discrete choice experiments ( DCEs ) are increasingly used in health economics to address a wide range of health policy-related concerns .
Objective Broadly adopting the methodology of an earlier systematic review of health-related DCEs , which covered the period 2001–2008 , we report whether earlier trends continued during 2009–2012 .